Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Darrington Ranger District

District at a Glance

Half of this remarkable 570,000-acre area is congressionally designated as the following three Wilderness areas: Boulder River, Henry M. Jackson, and Glacier Peak. The latter two Wilderness areas are jointly administered by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Skykomish Ranger District.

Discover the Verlot Public Service Center, near the South Fork Stillaguamish River. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from 1933 to 1942, Verlot's handsome building's reflect both the architectural style and fine craftsmanship of that era and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Operating seasonally, the center's Forest Service and Northwest Interpretive Association employees will help you plan an outing.

Unique and Special Places

Boom and Bust Along the Mountain Loop

A National Scenic Byway
Linking Darrington with Granite Falls is a roadway now known as the Mountain Loop National Scenic Byway, which was first pioneered in 1891 by miners' dreams. Later developed as a road by loggers and members of the CCC, this road was designated a Scenic Byway in 1991. Today's roadway passes for 55 miles through boom-and-bust town sites and abandoned claims, as well as rushing rivers and glacier-clad peaks. Although the tracks are gone and the daily whistle silenced, today's traveler can still see remnants of times gone by. With snow lingering at Barlow Pass through late spring, driving the entire loop is usually limited to late spring through the fall. The road is paved from Verlot to Barlow Pass, but is graveled to the town of Darrington.

Mountain Loop Road Reopens
After a four-year effort to repair more than $10 million in damaged roads and bridges, Mountain Loop Scenic Highway opens Oct. 26 to give outdoor enthusiasts access to many of their favorite trails and roads Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Suiattle Guard Station,
Historic Hand-Split Log Construction

The Suiattle (pronounced "Sue-attle") Guard Station is located in the Suiattle River drainage. In 1913, Tommy Thompson was the Assistant Ranger of the Suiattle-Finney District. As a ranger, one of his tasks was to construct his own station. He used hand-split shakes and log construction to supplement purchased building materials. Because of budget limitations, the Forest Service often relied upon rangers to construct their own stations in this matter. Construction details on the Suiattle Guard Station, such as the half-dovetail notching, is a tribute to Ranger Thompson's craftsmanship. As a testament, the cabin survives to this day as one of the two oldest administrative buildings in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The Suiattle Guard Station was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, and is currently in the Cabin Rental Program. For more information, or to make reservations, contact the Darrington Ranger Station. Also visit our web page about renting the Suiattle Guard Station.

Big Four Ice Caves

National Recreation Trail
This trail is a short, one-mile hike and accommodates walkers of all ages and abilities. The "caves" form late in the summer, as warm air flows down-slope and under the snowpack. Tons of ice and rock may crash to the ground at any time — making the caves extremely dangerous. Please admire them from a distance.

Note: During flooding in 2006, the bridge to the Ice Caves was washed out and the trail is closed at this time.

Big Four Inn,
An Exclusive Hide-Away

First known as Trout's Marsh homestead, Big Four Mountain lured the industrious Rucker brothers to cash in on the exquisite scenery and construct an elaborate 50-room, three-story hotel in 1920. Tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, and an artificial lake completed the grand scene for thousands of guests who arrived by railroad every summer. Today, only the chimney and sidewalks remain of the Inn, which burned to the ground in September 1949. However, the meadow, beaver ponds, and picnic area still attract thousands of recreationists who wish to enjoy the history and outstanding scenery that tempted the Rucker brothers many years ago.