Mountain Loop Highway

Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest Highway 20

(This is not WA-20)

Home Definitions How Much Sites Mountain Loop Highway Mtn. Loop Map		The Mountain Loop Highway (Forest Service Highway 20) is classified as a National Forest Scenic Byway The Mountain Loop Highway is probably the most concentrated area in the State of Washington for day hike trails, campgrounds, and hiking activities. Many of the trails in this area are through old growth forest. For the purposes of this site we will only list the trails that have old growth forest. There are many more trails and activities in the area. Although our Mountain Loop Highway Loop begins at Interstate-5 Exit 208 on WA-530; Highway-530 actually begins in Stanwood, WA and the Junction with I-5 is on WA-503 mile 17. We display the mile posts on the highway for a point of reference as you travel and have our own mileage system to show total miles traveled on the loop.
WA-530 Mile 17	Our Mtn. Loop Hwy. Mile 0	Interstate-5 Exit 208 / Arlington / WA-530 At this exit there are several restaurants and fuel. Take WA-530 east to Arlington and then on to Darrington. Our policy is to route from the north to the south so our loop will begin at Interstate-5 Exit 208 (Arlington, WA).
WA-530 Mile 21	Mile 4	The City of Arlington, WA
	Mile 5	Arlington Heights Road (To Granite Falls)
WA-530 Mile 32	Mile 16.1	The small village of Oso / Lake Cavanaugh Road This gravel road to the left (north) is Deer Creek Road. It is about 6 mi. long and goes over the mountain to Lake Cavanaugh. The road is gravel but well maintained
WA-530 Mile 38	Mile 22.3	View Point at N. Fork of Stillaguamish River You will see the display structure shown in the photo to the right on the left (north side) of the highway. A map of the river is displayed and a view of the river is behind the display. This is a favorite swimming hole of the locals in the summer. There are no toilet facilities or tables here.
WA-530 Mile 40	Mile 24.7	French Creek Road (National Forest Road 2010) – Turn right (south) onto NF Road 2010 and travel 3.7 miles up the road to the trailhead for the Bolder River Trail #734. This 4 mile long trail only rises 400 feet over its length and follows what seems to be an old logging roadbed. This is a great family hiking trail that is very busy on summer weekends. You will find second growth forest for the first 2 miles and then enter old growth forest. Visit our Boulder River Trail page.
WA-530 Mile 44	Mile 28.4	Squire Creek Campground – There are 30 drive-through sites for trailers or RVs up to 25 feet long. Piped water and sewer hookups are available. No reservations $12 - $17 fee per night. Open mid-April to mid-October. Location: 41415 State Road 530, Arlington Contact: 360-436-1283
WA-530 Mile 47	Mile 32	The City of Darrington, WA – This mill and logging town in the Cascade Mountain Range foothills was originally an overnight stop for wagons headed from Puget Sound to the mines in the Monte Cristo area. Today the city has a population of around 1300. There are limited tourist facilities in the city. When you visit this community you really feel like you are in the mountains with 6854 ft. high Three Fingers Mountain to the southwest, the 5202 foot Mt. Higgins to the northwest, and the 6935 foot high White Chuck Mountain to the east. The city is located in the Sauk River valley. The Sauk River is a tributary of the Skagit River. This area was the exclusive home of the Sauk and Suiattle tribes until the miners and then the loggers arrived in the late 1800’s.
National Forest Mountain Loop Highway mile 55	Mile 32.7	Jct. WA-530 with Mountain Loop Highway You come to a stop sign here. Turn left to continue on WA-530 to Rockport Turn right to Mountain Loop Highway – at this point you are 55 miles from Granite Falls via the Mountain Loop Highway
Mtn Loop Mile 52	Mile 35.7	South City Limit of Darrington
Mtn. Loop Mile 51	Mile 34.5 Mile 35	Clear Creek Campground Open late May to early September. There are 12 campsites.. Reservations 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.reserveusa.com Clear Creek Bridge
Mtn. Loop Marker 50	Mile 36	Old Sauk Trail #728 Trailhead (on left side of road) 4 mi. to Darrington / 27 miles to Verlot Public Service Center
Mtn Loop Mile 49	Mile 37	NF Road 2070 on right (west)
Mtn. Loop Mile 45	Mile 41	Road 2080 (on right) go to Road 2081 then Road 2086. The trailhead for Peek-A-Boo Trail #656 is up this road. Travel about 0.5 mi. from trailhead on an old logging road and then you enter old growth forest. Go to our Peek-A-Boo Trail page for more information. (9 mi. to Darrington)
Mtn. Loop Mile 44	Mile 41.3	Sauk River Bridge
	Mile 41.5	Beaver Lake Trail #629 – Across Sauk River bridge on Right (west) is the 0.2 mi. road to the Trailhead – This trail follows an old railroad grade. In the first 1.5 mi. you will find beaver ponds. In the next 1.5 miles you will enter old growth forest. Visit our Beaver Lake Trail page. White Chuck Boat Launch on east side of highway is closed due to storm damage
	Mile 41.7	White Chuck Road #23 ( second left after Bridge) Road and Trails beyond closed until further notice due to storm damage 1.7 mi. from Mtn. Loop Highway (as of July 2004) 10 mi. to Darrington
		End of Blacktop roadway – from here road is gravel.
	Mile 46.7	Sloan Creek Road #49 North Fork Sauk Falls Trail #660 – This 0.2 mile trail drops about 100 feet to the falls. There is no old growth forest but the falls are worth the short hike. Red Mountain Trail #651 North Fork Sauk Trail #649 17 mi. to Darrington
Mt. Loop Mile 37	Mile 49.1	Bedal Campground – This forest service campground is mainly for tenting. Only smaller RV’s or trailers can be accommodated in the camp sites. Open late May to early September. It has 18 camp sites and takes reservations. Reservations 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.reserveusa.com
Mtn.Loop Mile 36		Road closed here until further notice due to storm damage. (As of July 2004) Access beyond this point must be obtained by traveling from the bottom of this page up through Granite Falls, WA. and past the Verlot Public Service Center.
		Elliot Creek Toad #4080 (on the left) 22.0 miles to Darrington / 22.8 miles to Verlot Public Service Center
Mtn. Loop Mile 31		Road closed here until further notice due to storm damage. (As of July 2004) If traveling from the south end of the highway, access beyond this point must be obtained by traveling from the Darrington end of the highway. End of Gravel Roadway. Pavement begins at Barlow Pass
Mtn.Loop Mile 30	Mile 54	Barlow Pass Elevation 2,361 feet above sea level -, named for J.Q. Barlow who surveyed a route up the South Fork of the Stillaguamish for the Everett and Monte Cristo Railroad in 1891-92. This was also the site of the Barlow Pass Ranger Station. Trailhead – Old Monte Cristo town site – The 4 mi. long road to Monte Cristo is gated but open to foot traffic. The land between the gate and the townsite is privately owned by several patented mining claims and numerous summer homes. The road follows the old railroad grade so it is an easy family walk. The road from here to the Verlot Public Service Center for the most part follows the railroad grade of the Everett and Monte Cristo Railway built in the 1890’s. 23.4 mi. to Darrington / 19.5 mi. to Verlot Public Service Center
Mile 28	Mile 56.3	NF Road 4065 – Sunrise Mine Trailhead & Scenic overlook – 2mi.
Mile 27	Mile 57.0	Mt. Kickerman Trail #710 Trailhead – parking lot on right (north) side of highway
Mtn. Loop Mile 26	Mile 57.6	Perry Creek Road #4063 - on right (north) Mt. Forgotten Meadows – Perry Creek Trail #711 Trailhead 1.0 mi. 15.2 mi. to Verlot Public Service Center
Mile 26	Mile 58.2	Ice Caves Trailhead
Mtn. Loop Mile 26	Mile 58.7	Coal Lake Road #4060 (on right) Coal Lake Trail #632 – 4.4 mi. Pass Lake Trail #645 – 4.5 mi. Independence Lake Trail #712 – 4.8 mi. 15.0 mi. to Verlot Public Service Center
Mtn. Loop Mile 25	Mile 59.1	Big Four Picnic Area 14.5 mi. to Verlot Public Service Center
Mile Post 25	Mile 59.8	Beaver Creek Reservation Campground
Mile 24	Mile 61.4	Deer Creek Road – This is where the snowplow stops in winter. Deer Creek is a popular winter recreation area.
Mtn. Loop	Mile 62.4	Village of Silverton - A bridge crosses the river to the townsite, but most of the land is privately owned and tourists are not welcome. On other side of the highway there is a small store, and homes. Silverton was at its peak in 1897 with a population of 3,000. Site of the old Silverton Ranger Station, it was also a Forest Service nursery in the early 1900s. 13 mi. to Verlot Public Service Center
Mile 22	Mile 63.8	Dick Sperry Picnic Area
Mtn. Loop Mile 21	Mile 64.2	Marten Creek Trailhead
Mile 20	Mile 65.5	Tulalip Group Campground – Open late may to early October. Maximum 25 people rate $75.00 in 2004 Reservations 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.reserveusa.com
Mtn. Loop Mile 18	Mile 66.2	Youth-on-Age-Trail – This accessible interpretative loop is .3 mile long and contains old growth trees. It has experienced some unrepaired storm damage as of July 2004. Back country toilets are provided in the parking area. 7.5 miles to Verlot Public Service Center
Mtn. Loop Mile Post 18	Mile 66.5	Red Bridge Campground – Open late May to early September. 14 campsites. Reservations 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.reserveusa.com
Mtn. Loop Mile 17	Mile 66.8	Mallardy Road #4030 (on left) Mallardy Ridge Trail #706 – 9 mi. to trailhead 7.0 mi. to Verlot Public Service Center
Mtn. Loop Mile 16	Mile 67.9	Boardman Campground – Open late May to early September. 8 campsites. Reservations 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.reserveusa.com
Mtn. Loop Mile Post 16	Mile 68.5	Esswine Group Campground – Open late May to early September. 25 people max. rate $60.00 in 2004 Reservations 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.reserveusa.com
Mtn Loop Mile 15	Mile 69.2	Schweitzer Creek Road #4020 (on left) Boardman & Lake Evan Trail #704 – trailhead 5.0 mi. 4.5 mi. to Verlot Public Service Center
Mtn. Loop Mile Post 15	Mile 69.9	Wiley Creek Reservation Campground– Open late May to early September. 35 people max. rate $75.00 in 2004. Reservations 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.reserveusa.com
Mtn Loop Mile 14	Mile 70.8	Tupso Pass Road #41 (on left) Forks of the Canyon Creek Trail #633 – 12.5 mi. to trailhead 3.9 mo. to Verlot Public Service Center
Mtn. Loop Mile 13	Mile 71.4	Gold Basin Campground. This is the largest campground in the area with 92 campsites. Open late May to early October. Fee $17.00 in 2004. Reservations 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.reserveusa.com The Gold Basin Mill Pond is located across the highway from the campground. There is an interpretative trail that tells the area's story
Mtn. Loop Mile 13	Mile 71.8	Lake Twenty Two Trail #703 trailhead (on the left) Temple Creek Picnic Area – across highway from trailhead 2.0 mi. to Verlot Public Service Center
Mtn. Loop Mile Post 12	Mile 72.9	Mt. Pilchuck Road #42 (Monte Cristo Grade road) on left (south) Mt. Pilchuch Lookout Trail #700 – 6.9 mi. to trailhead 1 mi. to Verlot Public Service Center Bridge over the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River.
Mtn Loop Mile 11	Mile 73.7	Verlot Campground Open late May to early September. There are 25 campsites. Reservations 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.reserveusa.com
Mtn. Loop Mile 11	Mile 73.9	Verlot Public Service Center Look for the slice of an old growth tree that is timeline labeled from the 1500’s
Mtn. Loop Mile 10	Mile 74.0	Turlow Campground – across highway from Verlot Public Service Center. Open late May to early September. There are 18 campsites. Reservations 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.reserveusa.com
Mile 10	Mile 74.3	Leave the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Mile 10	Mile 74.9	Village of Robe – founded in 1891
Mile 6	Mile 78.0	Old Robe Trail
Mile 1	Mile 86	Granite Falls view point
Mtn. Loop Hwy Mile Post 0	Mile 87.8	City of Granite Falls Jct. E Stanley St & Mountain Loop Highway Right turn onto Stanley St. and into downtown Granite Falls West end of Stanley Street turns into WA-92. Take WA-92 west from the city
	Mile 95.5	Intersection of WA-92 with WA-9 Turn left (south) on WA-9
	Mile 97.0	Intersection of WA-9 with WA-204 at Lake Stevens Turn right at light toward Everett and US-2
	Mile 99.4	Intersection with WA-204 and US-2 to Everett Exit onto US-2 to Everett
	Mile 102.4	Intersection with US-2 and Interstate-5 Exit 194 in Everett
		This is the southerly end of our Mountain Loop Highway
		A Northwest Forest Pass is required for each vehicle parked at the trailhead. Recreationists are reminded that a Northwest Forest Pass is required at trailheads in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Hikers can buy a $30 annual pass or a $5 day pass at Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Ranger Stations. Passes are also available at local vendors or can be ordered by calling (toll free) 1-800-270-7504 or ordered on-line through Nature of the Northwest.
		The US Forest Service index page for all trails on the Mountain Loop Highway and their current status is located at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/recreation/activities/trails/mtnloop.shtml

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