Floods damaged the Mountain Loop Highway in 2003, leaving portions of it closed for years.
While the entire loop re-opened for the summer this year, it won’t stay open for much longer. Usually about Dec. 1, the road starts to grow treacherous, and it generally closes later that month because of snowfall.
That gives families a two-month window to drive the historic route, which runs 50 miles from Granite Falls to Darrington, then another 30 back to Arlington.
As a bonus, fall’s arrival means changing leaves, splashes of red, yellow and orange that will color the peaks.
While you could make the drive in about three hours, we recommend some stops along the way, with insight culled from the U.S. Forest Service.
For information on road and trail conditions,visit www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs.
Granite Falls Chevron, 502 W. Stanley St.
This is one of the last places to fuel up before setting off. If you’re low on gas when you leave town, you may run into trouble. The next filling station is almost 50 miles away, in Darrington. And along that 50-mile stretch, you’ll slowly cover about 14 miles of dirt road.
Verlot Public Service Center, 33515 Mountain Loop Highway
Eleven miles outside Granite Falls, the service center gives drivers a place to talk to U.S. Forest Service guides, grab some maps and hit the restroom before heading out the door. Keep in mind the next settlement is Darrington itself, nearly 40 miles away.
Lake Twenty-Two
This moderately difficult hike climbs continuously along Twenty-Two Creek for 2.7 miles, taking visitors through old-growth timber areas. The parking area is scheduled to be closed from Oct. 13 until the year’s end to add more spaces, new toilets and signs. Some parking will be available across the highway at Hemple Creek Picnic area. Don’t drink the water at the scenic glacier-fed basin. It may contain parasites, the U.S. Forest Service warns. The trailhead is on the right 2 miles east of the Verlot Public Service Center.
Note: The parking area at Mount Dickerman Trailhead, milepost 27.3, is also scheduled to be closed from Monday until April for expansion.
Sunrise Mine Trail
This fall, visitors may see huckleberries and vine maples in an array of colors as they hike this difficult trail, which runs 2.6 miles in one direction. To find the trail, drive 17 miles east of the Verlot Public Service Center. Turn right onto Sunrise Mine Road and go 2.2 miles to the trailhead.
Darrington
The tree-lined streets of Darrington — population, 1,136 in 2000 — also offer drivers a glimpse of fall colors, while the town itself gives families a chance to make a pit stop.
Boulder River
This trail guides hikers through virgin timber areas, across small creeks, by a series of waterfalls and finally to Boulder Ford. An easygoing hike, the trail stretches four miles in one direction, gaining a scant 400 feet. To find the trail, drive 8.2 miles west of Darrington on Highway 530 to French Creek Road #2010, at milepost 41. Turn left, and drive 3.7 miles to the trail head.
Arlington
You made it. Time to head home.
Andy Rathbun 425-339-3455 arathbun@heraldnet.com
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