Winter Recreation Around Darrington

Winter is a great time to go outside and play and nothing like rains and snow to transform everything to feel magical.  With the cold night’s of fall and the rains, the forest become adorned with an array of colorful fungi making the trails a whole new destination.  Soon freezing temperatures will cause the seepage and streams into icy wonderlands.  The snow is soon to follow, so bundle up, don’t miss the fun and go outside and play!

Photography

Photographing the winter transitions is a popular recreation, from the fresh early snows on the mountain peaks, ice sculpting the natural surroundings and stargazing the winter circle or maybe getting a peek at the Aurora Borealis.  See our webpages for photography and observing the local night sky.

Snow Play Days

Go outside and have a snow play day building Mr. Snowman, maybe just a walk to enjoy the beauty or bring your sled to enjoy some of the forest roads.  Winter is a time to discover the forest roads again, but not necessarily driving them.  Many side roads off of the Mountain Loop Highway offer snowshoeing opportunities, sledding or relaxing stroll through a winter wonderland.  Parking can sometimes be a challenge during heavy snows. Be prepared for driving forest roads especially during winter and check Forest Service Road Conditions before heading out.

The Great Christmas Tree Hunt

Make finding your Christmas Tree a real adventure that your family will enjoy and a long lasting holiday tradition.  Purchase your Christmas Tree Permit for the Darrington Ranger District at the Ranger Station, Darrington Hardware or online.  You will need a Forest Service Map when driving the roads looking for that perfect tree.  It is always good to check Road Conditions before heading out on your quest.  If you have more questions about finding that perfect Christmas Tree, we suggest contacting the Darrington Ranger Station, they’ll be able to answer all your questions and maybe good tips where to look.  After that cold winter romp out in the woods, you might want to warm up with a hot drink or meal at our local restaurants.

Snowshoeing and skiing

When snow accumulates, some of the forest roads and trails offer fun snowshoeing and Skiing.  The Whitehorse Trail becomes a fun and and easy cross country skiing destination with very little elevation gain making it a fun family get away or just a leisurely trek out.  The trail offers nice views of the North Fork Stillaguamish River, beautiful forest traveling along wetlands and history from the days when it was a railroad.  The Mountain Loop Highway is partially snow plowed for winter but the side roads are not creating possible snowshoeing up into winter wonderlands.

Snowmobiling

Just a short distance northwest from Darrington is the Segelsen Creek – Finney Creek Sno-Park, traveling over Segelsen Ridge and through beautiful Cumberland Pass, then continuing down toward the Finney Creek Trailhead to the west.  The trail is 63 miles of forest roads that are designated for winter snowmobile trail use when there is enough snow.

• See the Sno-Park Map
• Learn more about the Segelsen Creek – Finney Creek Sno-Park
• Sno-Park Permits
• Check Forest Road Conditions
• Getting There:  Drive west from Darrington 5 miles on SR 530, turn right onto Swede Heaven Road, drive 1.5 miles to Forest Road #18, Segelsen Road, drive 1 mile to the Sno-Park, pullout parking area.

Make A Snow Play Day