Old Sauk Trail is an easy 3 mile hike winding through remaining old growth, second growth and riparian forest.  This is a great year round family friendly hike. The central trailhead takes you to the accessible barrier free loop trail where people of all abilities can enjoy nature’s splendor. In the late spring the forest floor is an array of wildflowers and in late fall the forest floor become a treasure hunt of mysterious world of mushrooms.  Portions of the trail are the old pioneer trail that once connected Darrington to the gold mines of Monte Cristo.

This hike has three trailheads, making this hike as long as you choose.  The is a northern access, central access which is the accessible trail loop and southern access starting at Murphy Creek.  We will start the hike description from the northern trailhead.  As you wind through lush forest you come to the Sauk River and will continue paralleling the river.  There are several vistas that look out over the river which are good places to see eagles in late fall and winter.

While continuing, you will come to a footbridge crossing a stream which has been damned by beavers, this is a great place to linger to look at the busy work of a busy beaver and watch for birds.  As you wind up your hike you will come to Murphy Creek and the southern trailhead.  In late fall salmon return after their long journey to spawn in the confluence of this creek

Views From Old Sauk Trail