Mileage: 11 miles RT
Elevation Gain/High: 4300/5600ft
Map: Green Trails Sloan Peak No 111
Favorite Eats After Hike: LJs Bistro & Bar, Mirkwood Public House, Creekside Ale 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.
My Hike:
6/15/2015
When I pulled up to the trailhead, I wasn’t even sure I was in the right spot. There was one truck, a car that looked like someone had been sleeping in it and a campfire ring. I drove by and that is when I saw the sign for the trail tucked back in the woods a bit. I pulled back and parked reluctantly. I was hoping my car would be there when I got back!
The trail began off easy enough on a wide old railroad bed but became steep through the forest as it made it’s way up to the ridge. There was no water along the trail and I was glad that I had packed enough. Once there, the views of the cascades were hazy and layered. I came to a unmarked junction where I could go left and up or continue on the ridge so I did do that for a bit. I wandered for awhile on overgrown trail on the side of the mountain, taking in views of Sloan and Bedal. I guess this trail will continue to Lake Bryne and eventually the Pacific Crest Trail around Kennedy Creek.
After a bit I came back and hiked up over the saddle and stood for a view of Round Lake. I had heard there was a boot path to the right to a summit above the lake, so I made my way up along that. I had it to myself and watched a few folks down at the lake, including someone hoping to catch some fish.
Directions: Take exit 208 off of I-5 and drive east on SR 530 for 32 miles to Darrington. At a three-way stop, turn right onto the Mountain Loop Highway and proceed 16 miles (the pavement ends at 9 miles). To FR 49 on your left (signed for the North Fork Sauk Trail). Follow FR 49 for 3 miles to the very small trailhead (elev. 1850 feet) on your left. Parking has room for a few cars just before the actual trailhead.
Click here for more hikes on the Mountain Loop HWY.
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