Mount Pugh Trail: WTA Work Party

Darrington Ranger District
This work party starts at 8:30AM

Mountain Loop south of Darrington. This steep trail reaches Lake Metan in 1.5 miles. WTA will work on the trail below the lake, focusing on the first half mile. This will consist of basic tread maintenance (drainage and re-tread) as well as the construction of crib structures to the support the tread where it is failing in some areas.

The trail climbs steeply through dense forest for 1.5 miles before reaching the 3.4-acre Lake Metan, elevation 2800 feet. Just before the lake is a spring which is your last water source before reaching the end. The trail then continues with long gradual switchbacks ascending to a small meadow at 3.5 miles. Mountain goats can frequently be seen on the upper slopes of the drainage. From here the trail is steeper and continues with switchbacks until you come out to the timberline at Stujack Pass. Excellent views can be enjoyed here. Hikers without climbing experience should not continue on. The footpath now treads over a razorback ridge to the top. In places, the trail has been blasted out of rock. You should be equipped for steep snow travel during early summer and for rock scrambling all summer. A lookout was built on Mt. Pugh in 1927, but has long since been destroyed. You might see remnants of a tramway used to haul building materials to the top. Views from the top are magnificent. All the Cascades from Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier to Glacier Peak are quite visible on a clear day.

Driving directions:
From Seattle, drive 40 miles north on I-5 to exit 208 (Arlington/Silvana). Drive about 32 miles on Highway 530 to Darrington. In Darrington proceed to the stop sign on Highway 530. From the stop sign, take a right and drive 14 miles south on the Mountain Loop Highway to Road #2095 on the left (east) side. Proceed for 1.0 mile. The trailhead is on your right and should be signed.