DARRINGTON — Flooding and root rot have set back plans to open all campsites at the Buck Creek and Sulphur Creek campgrounds up the Suiattle River Road.
Last year, the Suiattle River Recreation Area was open for the first summer in 11 years. The road had closed at Milepost 12 after major flooding in 2003 and again in 2006. It took more than 11 years and $3.8 million to reopen the 23-mile forest service road. It opened in October 2014 and volunteer crews worked last summer to scout and clear damaged trails. Over the decade-long closure, nature washed out, buried or grew over most of the trails and campsites.
The Buck Creek campground was ready for tents and s’mores last June but flooding this winter washed out or damaged some of the sites. The upper loop of the campground also is closed because a number of trees there have laminated root rot, making them dangerously unstable. Thirteen single sites and one group site at the campground are expected to open this weekend for first come, first served camping. Reservations are accepted for May 26 or later. Another six sites are closed until flood damage can be repaired and rotted trees removed.
The U.S. Forest Service also hopes to expand the campground in the next two to three years, said Stella Torres, recreation specialist with the Darrington Ranger District.
Sulphur Creek campground did not open last summer and isn’t expected to be open for campers until July 1 at the earliest. Floods and storms ripped through the campsites over the years and repair work isn’t done yet. Flooding this winter delayed the opening.
“After some of the progress that was made last year, (the floods) pushed us a little further behind,” Torres said.
Once the Sulphur Creek campground is fixed up, it should have 18 single sites and one group site, she said.
The Suiattle River Road branches off Highway 530 about eight miles from Darrington and connects people to six trailheads, two campgrounds, a rental cabin and dozens of hunting and fishing spots. Other smaller paths break off from the main trails. The popular Suiattle River trail is a starting point for multiple hiking routes. It’s one of the only access points to the Pacific Crest Trail on the west side of Washington.
“Pretty much all of our trails are open,” Torres said. “The trail crews currently are working on logging them out.”
Day trippers and overnighters should come prepared for rugged terrain.
The campgrounds in the Suiattle River Recreation Area are mainly for tent camping. There’s limited space to back RVs in, and there are no water or electric hookups, Torres said.
There also are dispersed campsites along the Suiattle River Road. The Downey Creek and Suiattle trailheads are popular spots for people to pitch tents without a designated campsite. Some of those areas might not be accessible this year, though.
“A lot of the campsites people may have seen last year are no longer available,” Torres said. “Unfortunately some of them suffered severe flooding or a complete washout.”
Since reopening more than a year ago, the Suiattle River Road’s trails, campsites and scenic hideaways have drawn thousands of visitors.
In 2015, more than 7,206 visitors registered at the Suiattle, Green Mountain and Downey Creek trailheads. That total doesn’t include people who visited but opted not to sign in.
Visitors already are turning out in high number this year, Torres said. She expects another busy summer.
Work parties are planned on Suiattle River area trails throughout the summer. Go to wta.org/volunteer to find a work party and sign up as a volunteer.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
