White Chuck – Rat Trap Scenic Loop Drive
There is current road damage on mile 4 of Rat Trap Pass Road after Rat Trap Falls when driving north making this a not through road at this time. There is a turnout at the falls.
The White Chuck – Rat Trap Drive travels along three rivers, with mountain vistas, waterfalls and more. This is a longer drive so consider packing a picnic and making it a full day outing.
From the Darrington Ranger Station drive south toward the Mountain Loop Highway. At miles 2.1 note the labyrinth of beaver ponds to the left. At miles 3.3 you will see the Clear Creek Campground to the left and Forest Service Road #2060 to the right. This is the road that heads up to Eight Mile Trail, Bornite and Asbestos Creek Falls. Just beyond this point there is a turnout just before the Clear Creek Bridge where the creek enters Sauk River. You will want to park and admire this beautiful rocky gorge. When you reach 4 miles you will reach the Old Sauk Trail and just a little further is the Old Sauk Accessible Trail, a short loop trail for people of all abilities. There is also a toilet at this trailhead.
Continuing on your drive during spring and early summer you will see First Falls on the right at miles 7.6. At miles 9.2 you will pass Forest Road #2080, the road to Peek A Boo Lake Trail and just a little further the Beaver Lake Trailhead on the right and White Chuck Bridge on the left. A little past the bridge you will see Forest Service Road #23, White Chuck Road, coming up on the left where you will turn left to continue your drive. This road travels along the wild White Chuck River with beautiful views of White Chuck Mountain and several lovely creeks and streams along the way. At miles 14.6 you will come to a beautiful creek with a peculiar name, Dead Duck Creek. Now how this lovely creek ever received such a name remains a mystery!
Just a little further you will drive over the Lower White Chuck Bridge where there is parking to the left. This is the Crystal Creek – White Chuck Bench Trailhead, there is also a picnic table and toilet here. Opposite from the parking area is a short trail to the White Chuck River.
Continuing your drive you will turn left up on Forest Service Road #27, Rat Trap Road. You will see a large pile of boulders on the left which is the decommissioned portion of White Chuck Road now open only for foot travel and the route to Meadow Mountain Falls. You will turn left leaving the White Chuck River and begin going up the Forest Service Road #27, Rat Trap Pass Road. During June & July this road has an abundance of wild flowers especially Turks Cap and Trillium.
As you drive gaining some elevation you will see Crystal Creek making a steep drop on the right. There is a turnout just past the creek where you can park. This creek is the drainage of Crystal Lake high above frozen for many months of the year. Standing in front of the creek you can feel the chill of the higher alpines waters. As you drive up the Rat Trap Pass Road there are three stretches of road that are cut into the bank where deposits of sand and rock were left by ancient glaciers of the past. Be mindful that rocks come down in this area especially during changes in the weather and heavy rains. Even though you may have checked the Forest Service Road Conditions these rocks are ongoing and could likely not be reported. The size of the rocks tend to be moderate in size and may need to be safely removed from the road to avoid vehicle damage.
Continuing on you drive you will begin to descend Rat Trap Pass at 21 miles, sometimes you can see the three Upper Rat Trap Falls on White Chuck Mountain ahead of you as they drop from White Chuck lake. When you reach miles 21.5 you will reach 40 foot Rat Trap Falls. Past the falls you will continue to descend passing over a dip in the road which is paved with concrete, this is a ford in the road designed to let water flow over the road. Past this point the road will begin a series of downward switchbacks. When the road again levels out you will have reached forest road #25 crossing over the Straight Creek Bridge. You will soon be seeing the approach of the famous Boundary Bridge as it crosses the Suiattle River. This bridge was washed out for many years and was very complicated to repair due decreasing funding and the requirements of Suiattle River’s wild and scenic designation.
Once crossing the bridge turn left onto the Forest Service Road #26, Suiattle River Road. As you continue driving this road will reach pavement. You are now headed west and back toward SR 530 & Darrington. You will pass Forest Service Road #2660 on the right, Tenas Creek Road, which is the road to the Tenas Creek – Boulder Lake Trail. In just a short distance you will cross Tenas Creek. The next creek is Straight Creek.
When you come to the concrete bridge pullover and enjoy magnificent views of the gorge below and pullover and enjoy the magnificent gorge below and Teepee Falls from above. Can you see the concrete bridge bulkhead below? This was where the Sound Timber Logging Railroad crossed once right at the waterfall.
Just a short distance past Teepee Falls you pass Forest Service Road #2640, Grade Creek Road on your right. This is the road that takes you to Tupso Lake. Continuing on your drive you will see Whistle Stop Falls on the right and in another 3 miles you will come to the SR 530 junction. Turn left onto SR 530. As you cross over the bridge you again will meet up with the Sauk River. Driving south you will see forest road #28 heading up North Mountain which takes you to Texas Pond and North Mountain Lookout.
Continuing south there will be several nice views of the Sauk River & the confluence of the Suiattle River. You will pass the Sauk-Suiattle Reservation on the left, then the Darrington Branch Hampton Sawmill.
The Darrington Ranger Station is just ahead completing your scenic loop drive. Across the street from the ranger station parking lot is the Nels Brueseth Memorial Garden with a nice display of historical dugout canoes.