The Whitehorse Trail is a trail through rich history as well as natural beauty.  This trail started in 1901 when the tracks were laid connecting Arlington & Darrington via railway.  When the first train came chugging into Darrington, history was changed forever connecting all of the North Fork Stillaguamish Valley communities.  The original plan for getting the train to come all the way to Darrington was to transport the ore from the various surrounding mines.  Pioneer Charles Burns was the main spearhead for getting the train to come to Darrington and without his dream & drive it could have been many years before this would have happened.

The 27 mile Whitehorse Trail starting in Arlington and ending in Darrington, follows the river traveling through small communities and historical places of the past.  The trail passes through four old millponds where once there were mills and their communities at Cicero, Oso, Hazel and Fortson.  The trail also parallels SR 530 NE, however many times dropping down toward the river involving several bridge crossings and wonderful vistas.

The trail has very little elevation change and is accessible year round offering hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and even cross-country skiing during times of snow.  The Cicero, Oso and Fortson millponds are popular destinations for birding and photography.  In fall and winter one can enjoy watching the return of the bald eagles and spawning salmon.

Whitehorse Trail is owned by Snohomish County Parks and still undergoing work to open the complete Trail.  There will be trailheads at Arlington at the junction of the Centennial Trail, Cicero, Oso, Fortson and Darrington making nice short walks or hike, bike or ride the whole 27 miles.  Currently the trail is not accessible at the Tin Bridge along the western end near Trafton.  Even though not completed at this time, this unique trail has already become a very sought after destination with it’s divers recreation, beauty and rich heritage.