Ghost-Town Hikes for Families in Western Washington

Monte Cristo, accessed by a four-mile hike from a trailhead near Route 2, is probably the most famous of Western Washington’s ghost towns. The mining here was for gold and silver. At its peak, thousands of hopeful prospectors staked their claims, and a railroad and other infrastructure was built to haul ore out of the mountains.

As it turned out, the ground was far less rich than geologists had initially thought, and the weather was a constant obstacle. Later efforts to make the area into a resort destination also failed.

Today what’s left of Monte Cristo has been saved, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Monte Cristo Preservation Association.

Trailhead: You reach the Monte Cristo hike from Highway 2, a scenic byway that winds through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Park at the lot for Barlow Pass and find the start of the hike just down the road behind an intimidating sign urging caution. It’s eight miles round trip to the town site.

Hike description: Shortly after you leave the parking lot you’ll come to a bulletin board with still more warning signs and a map of the area. A path goes off to the right but stay straight ahead.

Though my family saw evidence of slides on a day we recently hiked the trail, much of this route is an old road, a wide, well-maintained gravel path that hikers of any age can manage. Along the way, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of craggy Cascade peaks towering over the Sauk River. Our boys also loved spotting wildflowers and polliwogs.

The tricky part: At about a mile in, there’s a river crossing — one reason for all those signs, no doubt! If you have young children or the weather is poor, this should be your turnaround point.

If you have sure-footed hikers and good weather, you can cross the river downstream on a makeshift log bridge. To reach it take the trail to the right up to the wooden sign for “Weeden Creek.” Go behind this sign and make your way down to the river, where a wide log will be your crossing. We first did this hike on a late summer day when the log was dry, and the water was low, and we didn’t find it intimidating at all.

On our spring visit, it was slick from rain, and the river was high and fast moving. There was no way we were going to chance it. Luckily, my boys were fine with a wilderness walk.

To check on current conditions, call the Verlot Ranger Station. You can also check the Washington Trails Association site for recent trip reports.

The Monte Cristo town site: If you’re able to continue, the town site is about three miles after the river. You’ll stay on the path, crossing the river again on a high bridge (this time a wooden one in good condition) just before the entrance to the town. An old welcome sign greets you and you’ll find old buildings, mostly boarded up, as well as rusted signs and equipment. Sit a while and imagine the scene alive with people seeking their fortunes!

Note: Be sure not to disturb any of the buildings, signs or tools you may find. Also, be aware that there are still some privately held mining claims and cabins near the town site. Don’t go on areas marked as private property.

Amenities: There are several picnic benches, though pack in your own water due to the presence of arsenic and other heavy metal contamination. We also found the bathrooms unusable, so take advantage of the one at the Barlow Pass trailhead.

Getting to the Monte Cristo trailhead: Head towards Granite Falls from Seattle. Take the Mountain Loop Highway East to Barlow Pass. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to park for this popular trail, which can have some snow on the ground into late spring.

Pair with: This hike is in the heart of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, where you’ll find many other hikes, picnic areas and campgrounds if you want to extend your adventure. If you’re ready to head back to civilization, Granite Falls has kid-friendly restaurants. Playa Bonita is a popular choice with local families.

Next trail: Franklin townsite

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