Make Granite Falls your base camp for the Mountain Loop
Granite Falls is the perfect place to make your base camp before setting out for an adventure on the Mountain Loop Highway.
The Mountain Loop Highway is a 90-mile-plus journey through old railways that are now a scenic byway. Expect stunning alpine lakes, ghost towns, towering timbers, and sweeping views of the Cascade Mountains. Deep within the foothills of the North Cascades and on the edge of civilization lies Granite Falls, an old logging town with a charm that’s uniquely Pacific Northwest.
As the last bastion of society before you hit the scenic byway, Granite Falls offers many great options for dining, outdoor recreation, and lodging. It's a place that's definitely worth your time before you explore the land of loops.
Outdoor Activities & Recreation
Lake 22 – A glacial lake with pristine waters and unparalleled beauty
Lake 22 is, in a word, breathtaking. Treat your senses to a blue-green alpine lake in the middle of a cirque—a ring of cliffs and stone that typically surround a glacial lake. The lake is a visual treat and well worth the ascent through patches of old-growth hemlock. In winter the trail is covered in running water and the slopes that lead up Mount Pilchuck are filled with ice and slush, so yak tracks and collapsible hiking poles are recommended.
Lake 22
Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls
Lime Kiln Trail – A wonderous trail that leads to a giant lime furnace in the middle of the rain forest
The Lime Kiln Trail starts from a wooded trailhead and takes hikers across streams and along the edge of the Robe Canyon. The Stillaguamish River roars through the canyon, fed by high rainfalls. Mushrooms and moss sprout from mossy logs and the cliff sides leak springs that cover the muddy path. The route follows an old railroad that carried smelted lime away from the kiln to the nearby port city of Everett, where it was further processed. The kiln is the end of the trail, and worth the visit. If you’re interested in local history there are other rusty gems to be spotted en route.
Lime Kiln Trail
Granite Falls
Mount Pilchuck State Park – A moderate hike with panoramic views from an old fire lookout
It’s not the biggest mountain in the Cascades, nor is it the most difficult to climb. And let’s be honest—its size is the main appeal of Mount Pilchuck, as well as its relative proximity to civilization and accessibility for average hikers. If you want to make a day of climbing Pilchuck, you can reach the old fire lookout on the top of the mountain for panoramic views. The “L-4”-style cabin is perched on the very apex of the 5,341-foot summit and has a small wooden structure you can climb by ladder. If you want a shorter hike, try Heather Lake at the base of Pilchuck. It’s accessible by the same road that takes you to the Pilchuck Trail. It’s a truly scenic alpine lake that offers a glimpse of the inverted peak of Pilchuck.
Mount Pilchuck Sate Park
Granite Falls
Lodging
Clear Creek Campground – Communal camping experience among giant fir trees
Clear Creek campground is located near the Sauk River along the Mountain Loop Highway. The area has several stately old fir trees and the under growth is fairly sparse, which offers a more open communal camping experience. The one-mile-long Frog Lake nature trail is nearby, as is the tree-mile Old Sauk Trail. Clear Creek has 13 campsites, 10 of which are suitable for trailers. Bring your own water because the site has no piped water.
Clear Creek Campground
Near Darrington Ranger District
Dining & Drinking
