The Mountain Loop Highway runs from Granite Falls and into the Cascade Mountains, winding past Mt. Pilchuck, and ending at Barlow pass.
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Popular Hiking Trails on the Mountain Loop Highway
Please note that many of the following trails are covered by snow in the late fall through early spring. As of May 29, 2008, many of these trails are still covered by snow and a few are even labeled by the forest service for being at risk of AVALANCHE. It is a good idea to become familiar with avalanche conditions, so that you can recognize the danger signs when you're in the mountains, and avoid any trails that are unsafe.
In addition, some of the roads leading to these trails have been damaged by storms, which will add distance to your hike. Check with the U.S. forest service website, under Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Hiking and Trails - Mountain Loop Highway Area to find out which roads have been effected, as well as snow conditions, and if the trail you plan to hike is at risk of avalanche.
Mountain Loop Highway, from Granite Falls:
Ashland Lakes Trail - 3.5 miles - Easy
Bald Eagle - 9.5 miles - Most Difficult
Bald Mountain Trail - 3 miles - Easy
Barlow Point Trail - 1 mile - More Difficult
Big Four Ice Caves - 1 mile - Easy
Boardman Lake and Lake Evan Trail - 0.8 mile - Easy
Canyon Lake Trail - 2.1 miles - Easy
Elliot Creek (Goat Lake) Trail - 5.2 miles - More Difficult
Glacier Basin Trail - 2.1 miles - More Difficult
Heather Lake Trail - 1.9 miles - More Difficult
Independence Lake Trail - 0.7 miles - More Difficult
Kelcema Lake - 0.6 miles - More Difficult
Lake Twenty-Two - 2.7 miles - More Difficult
Lost Creek Ridge - 11 miles - Most Difficult
Mallardy Ridge (West Bailey) - 3.5 miles - More Difficult
Marten Creek - 3 miles - Most Difficult
Mt. Dickerman - 4.3 miles - Most Difficult
Mt. Forgotten & Perry Creek - 3.8 miles - More Difficult
Mt. Pilchuck Lookout - 3 miles - Most Difficult
North Lake - 2.4 miles - Most Difficult
Old Government - 2 miles - Easy
Old Monte Cristo Townsite - 4 miles - More Difficult - The beginning of the hike (leading to the old mining town) isn't difficult, especially if you are riding in on a bike. Past this the trail is reported to be more difficult.
Old Robe (Robe Canyon) - 2.2 miles - The Robe Canyon hike is medium at best, especially if you don't go past the "No Trespassing" signs and continue to climb up and over the large rocks that actually take you back to the old train tunnels - but almost everyone who goes down there does that. The only tricky part or strenuous is coming back up towards the main trail head. It gets step and as some switchbacks but the trail is groomed really nice and it pretty wide so that isn't an issue.
Pass Lake - 0.5 mile - More Difficult
Pinnacle Lake Trail - 1.9 miles - More Difficult
Poodle Dog Pass - Silver Lake - Twin Lakes - 4.4 miles - Most Difficult
Sunrise Mine Trail - 2.6 miles - Most Difficult
Three Fingers, Goat Flats, Saddle Lake - 6.7 miles - Most Difficult
Weden Creek Trail (Gothic Basin) - 3.3 miles - Most Difficult
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Mountain Loop Highway, from Darrington:
Beaver Lake - 1 mile - Easy
Crystal Lake - 2.5 miles - More Difficult
Eight-Mile - 2.5 miles - Most Difficult
Frog Lake - 1 mile - More Difficult
Kennedy Ridge Trail - 2 miles - More Difficult
Meadow Mountain - 17.5 miles - Most Difficult
Mt. Pugh - 3.5 miles - Most Difficult
North Fork Sauk Falls - 0.2 miles - Easy
North Fork Sauk (connects with Pacific Crest Trail) - 8.4 miles - Most Difficult
Old Sauk - 3 miles - Easy
Peek-A-Boo Lake - 2.2 miles - More Difficult
Pilo Ridge - 11 miles - Most Difficult
