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Monte Cristo


Highlights:

Easy hike to a ghost town nestled in between the mountains
Near:Granite Falls, WA
Scenery:
Distance:8.38 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:423 ft
Hike Time:4 hours
Difficulty:Easy
Trail Condition:Fire road/pavement
HikeType:Out and Back


Summary: To get to Monte Cristo is 4.19 miles along a fire road, you can either hike, bike or horseback it. Bare in mind that there is a massive gate blocking the road that some people have a key to, so you might encounter vehicles along the way. The road is not steep, with the exception of 2 short hills on the way in.
Trailhead: Take Mountain Loop Highway thru Granite Falls to Barlow Pass. You will pass two very distinct bridges the first one is blue and the second is red. Also you will know that you are at Barlow Pass becuz the paved road ends. There is a parking lot on the left hand side or you can park along the road. You will need a parking pass available at the Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest ranger station that you pass as you enter the forest. ($7 for the day or $30 for the year) (Lat:48.02582 Lon:-121.44371)
Trail Guides for Monte Cristo:
Best Seasons: Summer,
User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses,
Ranger Contact: Verlot Ranger Station, at 360-691-7791
Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Tommy, Michele, Sam, & Oliver Koziol, who has posted  3 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here.
Trail Reviews  Page 1 of 4   Submit your own review
Reviewed by jason on 6/14/2009
really easy hike really cool to see a piece of our states history but as for it being a fishing mecca i ask where and how the river is rushing so fast.

Reviewed by DDDE&B on 5/25/2009
~If your going ONLY to see old relics from the past pick a different hike! The only thing left is two signs and an track that was used to turn the train around~ The snow on the road was tough for my family but we made it up. There was two piles of snow to climb over,then there was a long stretch of snow covered ground which gave way to spots that were cleared and some that where still covered in snow. (I twisted my ankle a few times due to the snow patches be cautious) Although I will never hike this trail again it was gorgeous and even without the big pay off at the end I'm happy I finally got to camp up there! (This in my opinion is not an easy hike! and unless you are in perfect shape and your 100% prepared it will take its toll

Reviewed by Mandy on 5/17/2009
We tried to find this today but after 2.5 hours walking up the road (starting at the gates) we ended up turning around. We never found another trail saying that Monte Crisco was even close. We even got past the point there were 3 snow plows on the road. Can anyone offer advice? I also found the walk along the road very boring.

Reviewed by CGF on 11/25/2008
Hiked to Monte Cristo on Saturday. Last 10 miles of the Mountain Loop Hwy was a little snowy, not bad. Trail was slightly snowy as well. Got to the log crossing, ran into a Boy Scout Troop that was having a hard time figuring out how to get across with their packs. There is a log jam cabled before the big log, that one is a little easier to cross, but I crossed the big log with the dogs. The snow made it a little slippery. The town had around 5 inches of snow. Didn't explore up Dumas Rd, should have. By the time we got back to the log, even though it was starting to snow, the log was clear and easier to cross. Took approx 5 hours (boy scout delay). I plan on going back in the summer and explore more.

Reviewed by Eric D on 8/24/2008
Just finished the monte cristo hike. Very nice hike. My dogs made it fine on the log crossing. They are very low to the ground. Australian terriers. This hike is long for the beginner like me. I would recomend very light day pack. Also very com-fi hicking boots. I wore my black jungle boots. Bad ideal, I wanted to float down the river on the way back. Bikes not recomended unless you can carry it long distance. Little babies only if you can carry them the hole way up and back. Todlers will be wore out ifvthey have to pack anything. Do start the hike early. It took me 5 hours. Best family hike around.

Reviewed by LF on 8/12/2008
Easy hike, mostly gravel road. Cool old town, mostly boarded up. Great family hike with little kids able to make the trek. You still must cross the river across logs so be aware of that - but little kids made it on the day I went.

Reviewed by Bobbi on 9/28/2007
I worked at the lodge in 1973. It was a great place to spend the summer. I am very sorry to hear the lodge burned down. It really was a beautiful place, built from the forest.

Reviewed by M Family on 8/5/2007
First time hiking Monte Cristo today. Nice walk in hike, but if you ride bikes at all, you can cut the time in half. Several spots you must push or carry your bike, but it would be worth it for all the spots you can actually ride. We took our twelve year old who made it in and out, but got pretty tired along the way. Take a lunch and lots of water, four hours minimal time is needed. The scenery is beautiful, it's quiet and there is lots of spots to stop along the river, but bring the bug spray because at times you walk a long way while you are harrassed endlessly by bugs, escpecially flies and bees!


Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site.
Keys: Washington Hiking, Washington Trails, Washington Hikes, Snohomish County Hiking, Snohomish County Trails, Snohomish County Hikes

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