After reading posts regarding the upcoming closure of the
Sugarloaf/Mount Mitchell trail we decided to combine this hike with
North Siouxon and a car shuttle. Seems we were a little late.
About 0.2 miles after taking the sharp turn off S-1000 the road was blocked by a tree across the road.
- Tree across the Sugarloaf access road.
- The tree was cut.
We decided to hike the extra 1.5 miles up to the trailhead and found two other trees across the road.
- Second of three trees across access road.
The hike started steeply, but became more gradual and trail wider to the base of Sugarloaf.
- Sugarloaf
We hiked up to the viewpoints and summit of Sugarloaf (bushwack to summit), where there was a view north toward Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens, although the same view as from the lower viewpoints.
- View from Sugarloaf
Then to Mt Mitchell, we stayed at the top only long enough to snap a few photos, being swarmed by gnats. Plus, it was sunny and hot.
After dropping down from Mt Mitchell we were soon walking along a road through a clear-cut and then an older road with the nearby trees all cut so there was no shade for about 3 miles. Fortunately, we passed a couple of refreshing streams.
- View back to Mt Mitchell from clear cut
- Trail enters some shade on descent to North Siouxon
- We passed a number of old signs.
We descended to a lovely spot on North Siouxon. There were three options for crossing a side drainage, an old falling apart bridge, a log, or small logs at creek levels. We opted for the creek level crossing as the water level was not high.
- North Siouxon
- Old bridge
On to Black Hole falls we rested a while and then finished the hike back to the North Siouxon Creek trailhead. It is unfortunate that the trail is far from the creek for most of the hike.
- Black hole falls
- Black hole falls sign is now empty
- Our route in green. Road marked in black.
