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Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Linking Darrington with Granite Falls is the Mountain Loop Highway National Forest Scenic Byway, which was first pioneered in 1891 by miners` dreams. Later developed as a road by loggers and members of the CCC, this road was designated a Scenic Byway in 1991. Today`s roadway passes 55 miles through boom-and-bust town sites and abandoned claims, as well as rushing rivers and glacier-clad peaks. Although the tracks are gone and the daily whistle silenced, today`s traveler can still see remnants of times gone by.
Discover the Verlot Public Service Center, near the South Fork Stillaguamish River. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1942, Verlot`s handsome buildings reflect the architectural style and fine craftsmanship of that era and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Operating seasonally, the center`s employees will help you plan an outing.
With snow lingering at Barlow Pass through late spring, driving the entire loop is usually limited to late spring through the fall. The road is paved from Verlot to Barlow Pass and from Darrington to the junction with the White Chuck River Road. The middle portion (14 miles) is a single-lane gravel road.
Activities
Mountain Biking
Areas for Mountain Biking at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Campground Camping
Areas for Campground Camping at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
- Bedal Campground
- Clear Creek Campground
- Gold Basin Campground
- Red Bridge Campground
- Turlo Campground
- Verlot Campground
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Mountain Climbing
Areas for Mountain Climbing at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
- Bear Lake Trail 703
- Boardman Lake
- Coal Creek Group Campground
- Heather Lake Trail 701
- Independence Lake Trail 712
- Kelcema Lake Trail 718
- Lake Twenty Two Trail 702
- Lake Twenty Two Trailhead
- Mallardy Ridge (Walt Bailey) Trail 706
- North Lake Trail 712.1
- Pass Lake Trail 645
- Poodle Dog Pass-Silver Lake-Twin Lakes Trail 708
River and Stream Fishing
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
- Ashland Lakes Trail
- Bald Eagle (Curry Gap) Trail 650
- Barlow Pass Trailhead
- Barlow Point Trail 709
- Bear Lake Trail 703
- Beaver Lake Trail 629
- Bedal Creek Trail 705
- Bedal Creek Trailhead
- Big Four Ice Caves Trail 723
- Ice Caves Trailhead
- Boardman Lake/ Lake Evan Trail 704
- Boulder River Trail 734
- Canyon Lake Trail 720
- Chocwich Mountain Bike Trail
- Coal Lake Trail 632
- Coal Lake/Independence Lake Trailhead
- Crystal Creek Trailhead
- Crystal Lake Trail 638 & Circle Peak Trail 638.1
- Dickerman Mountain/Perry Creek Trailhead
- Eight-Mile Trail 654.02
- Elliot Creek (Goat Lake) Trail 647
- Elliot Creek/Goat Lake Trailhead
- Forks of Canyon Creek Trail 633
- Frog Lake Trail 659
- Glacier Basin Trail 719
- Gold Basin Mill Pond Interpretive Trail
- Harold Engles Memorial Grove Trail 642
- Heather Lake Trail 701
- Independence Lake Trail 712
- Kelcema Lake Trail 718
- Lake Twenty Two Trail 702
- Lake Twenty Two Trailhead
- Lost Creek Ridge Trail 646
- Lost Creek Ridge Trailhead
- Mallardy Ridge (Walt Bailey) Trail 706
- Marten Creek Trail 713
- Meadow Mountain Trail 657
- Meadow Mountain Trailhead
- Mount Pilchuck Trail 700
- Mount Pilchuck Trailhead
- Mt. Dickerman Trail 710
- Mt. Higgins Trail 640
- Mt. Pugh Trail 644
- Neiderprum Trail 653
- North Fork Sauk Falls Trail 660
- North Fork Sauk Trail 649
- North Fork Sauk Trailhead
- North Lake Trail 712.1
- Old Government Trail 733
- Old Monte Cristo Townsite Trail
- Old Sauk Trail 728
- Pass Lake Trail 645
- Peek-A-Boo Lake Trail 656
- Perry Creek Trail 711
- Pilot Ridge Trail 652
- Pinnacle Lake Trail 703.1
- Poodle Dog Pass-Silver Lake-Twin Lakes Trail 708
- Red Mountain Trail 651
- Sloan Peak Trail 648
- Sloan Peak Trailhead
- Squire Creek Trail 654
- Sunrise Mine Trail 707
- Sunrise Mine Trailhead
- Three Fingers-Goat Flats-Saddle Lake Trail 641
- Weden Creek (Gothic Basin) Trail 724
- White Chuck Bench Trail 731
- White Chuck River Trail 643
- Youth-On-Age-Nature Trail 738
- Youth-On-Age Nature Trailhead
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
- Ashland Lakes Trail
- Bald Eagle (Curry Gap) Trail 650
- Barlow Pass Trailhead
- Bedal Creek Trail 705
- Bedal Creek Trailhead
- Boardman Lake/ Lake Evan Trail 704
- Boulder River Trail 734
- Crystal Lake Trail 638 & Circle Peak Trail 638.1
- Eight-Mile Trail 654.02
- Elliot Creek (Goat Lake) Trail 647
- Elliot Creek/Goat Lake Trailhead
- Glacier Basin Trail 719
- Independence Lake Trail 712
- Kennedy Ridge Trail 639
- Lost Creek Ridge Trail 646
- Lost Creek Ridge Trailhead
- Mallardy Ridge (Walt Bailey) Trail 706
- Meadow Mountain Trail 657
- Meadow Mountain Trailhead
- North Fork Sauk Trail 649
- North Fork Sauk Trailhead
- North Lake Trail 712.1
- Old Monte Cristo Townsite Trail
- Peek-A-Boo Lake Trail 656
- Pilot Ridge Trail 652
- Pinnacle Lake Trail 703.1
- Poodle Dog Pass-Silver Lake-Twin Lakes Trail 708
- Sloan Peak Trail 648
- Sloan Peak Trailhead
- Squire Creek Trail 654
- Sunrise Mine Trail 707
- Sunrise Mine Trailhead
- Three Fingers-Goat Flats-Saddle Lake Trail 641
- Weden Creek (Gothic Basin) Trail 724
- White Chuck River Trail 643
Horse Riding
Areas for Horse Riding at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Viewing Wildlife
Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Viewing Plants
Areas for Viewing Plants at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Viewing Scenery
Areas for Viewing Scenery at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Scenic Driving
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Snowmobiling
Areas for Snowmobiling at Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Alerts & Warnings
- Lake 22 Trail Closure Extended
- Some Trails Still Closed due to Fire Activity
- PCT between Mica Lake and Suiattle Pass and Suiattle River Rd all Open!
- Campfire, Shooting and Other Restrictions Have been Lifted!
- Emergency Closure of Carbon River Bridge!
- Mallardy Ridge Trailhead and FSR 4030 and 4032 Closure
- Harris Lake Trailhead and FSR 5510 Closed
- Middle Fork Camping Closure
- FSR 4110 Road Closure
- Fireworks and Explosive Targets Prohibition
- Camping Restrictions
- Read this Before Climbing or Backpacking on Mt. Baker
- Food storage rules for Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF
- Alcohol Prohibitions