What: An easy hike to some nice views.
Where: From Granite Falls, drive east to the Verlot Public Service Center, then east on the Mountain Loop Highway 4.5 miles to the Schweitzer Creek Road 4020. Turn right and follow this road for 2.3 miles to the Bear Lake Road 4021. Turn right and continue 1.5 miles to a junction with Road 4021016 on the left. Turn left and follow this road to the end. You must now walk approximately 1 mile on the abandoned road to the trailhead on your left at the Y.
Length: 6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Beginning elevation: 2,400 feet.
Ending elevation: 3,200 feet.
Map: Green Trails Silverton 110 and Index 142
Permits: Northwest Forest Pass required for parking.
Contact: Verlot Public Service Center, 360-691-7791, or Darrington Ranger District, 360-436-1155
Notes: This trail was built by the State Department of Natural Resources and extends past the junction with the Ashland Lakes Trail, traversing along the crest of Bald Mountain Ridge. Views of Three Fingers, Pilchuck, Whitehorse and the valleys below are to be found at a 3,950-foot saddle at approximately 3 miles. The trail passes numerous tarns and rich huckleberry-heather meadows and goes through a deep forest of old firs and hemlocks before descending into Sultan Basin. A spur trail will lead you to Cutthroat Lakes where campsites are available.
From Forest Service reports (www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/recreation/activities/ trails/mtnloop.shtml)
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