Miles: 1,520ft RT
Elevation Gain/Highest: 110 ft/ 1628 ft (descent to 1536 ft)
Map: Green Trails Sloan Peak No 111
Favorite Eats After Hike: Mirkwood Public House, Glorybucha Microbrewery, River Time Brewing, or just Pack A Cooler. You can learn more about these places in my Must Hike Must Eat Eating Out Guide.
Find out current conditions and as always, practice Leave No Trace. Pretty please.
Hike details:
This super short downhill trail takes you to one of the most stunning waterfalls the Mountain Loop Highway has to offer. The forest road is a bit rough but doable at a slow pace. The trail descends from the parking lot on a few easy switchbacks ending with steep stairs to a rocky overlook. The whole family can enjoy this one but be careful on wet days were the waterfall overlook can be slick.
My trip report: 5/5/2019
We were in Darrington for a podcast recording so I decided to take my husband up to the falls since he had never been.
The road was much rougher than I remembered but I did hear that it was pretty rough last year. I was glad I had higher clearance but there was a small Nissan sedan heading in as we were leaving so I guess as long as you go slow you will be okay.
The trail was a bit muddy and had a few logs down but nothing you couldn’t step over. Bleeding hearts were out and sword ferns were mid-unfurl It was only about .15 miles to the falls and as usual the water was cascading over with great force, plunging down into the pool below before continuing on to the Sauk River.
I have only been on rainy, gray days so it was a change to see the sun streaming into the gorge and brightening the moss covered walls of the canyon. It was a lovely way to spend Sunday afternoon!
11/9/2014
The North Fork Sauk River Falls make for a great rainy day hike, too!
Directions: From Darrington, take the Mountain Loop Highway along the west side of the Sauk River. The road becomes gravel at 9 miles. Drive another 10.5 miles to Sloan Creek Road (FR 49) and turn left, then continue 1.1 miles to the trailhead.
Click here for more hikes on the Mountain Loop!
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