October is an absolutely beautiful month in Washington. And since we still have a little time before winter weather hits, it’s the perfect time to take a hike — especially when that hike takes you straight to a ghost town, which is exactly what the Monte Cristo Trail does.
Located in the North Cascades near the town of Granite Falls, the Monte Cristo Trail is an 8-mile trek through some stunning land.
Susan Helland / alltrails.com Start at the Barlow Pass trailhead, then hike along the closed road for a few miles.
You’ll travel mostly along the South Fork Sauk River, taking the same route miners took to town over 100 years ago.
Bradly Sullivan / alltrails.com The trail is ranked as moderate, meaning if you can handle an 8-mile walk, you can probably handle this.
Eventually, you’ll reached the old abandoned mountain town of Monte Cristo.
Susan Helland / alltrails.com And once you do, you’ll want to stick around for awhile.
Monte Cristo was filled with hopeful miners by 1893, when Washington’s mining boom brought thousands of people to the state.
Elisa Behrens / alltrails.com This was the first live mining camp on the west slopes of the Cascade Range.
The mining town was active from 1889 to 1907, but the mining boom didn’t last long.
Michelle Alke / alltrails.com There were funding issues and flooding from the river to contend with as well. After a brief attempt to turn Monte Cristo into a resort destination, it became a ghost town.
This hike is exceptionally amazing because you’ll learn about our local history while getting great exercise.
Rory Mundwiler / alltrails.com Plus, the fall foliage this time of year is pretty fantastic.
Do you enjoy exploring Washington’s ghost towns? If so, this road trip is for you.
Susan Helland / alltrails.com
Start at the Barlow Pass trailhead, then hike along the closed road for a few miles.
Bradly Sullivan / alltrails.com
The trail is ranked as moderate, meaning if you can handle an 8-mile walk, you can probably handle this.
And once you do, you’ll want to stick around for awhile.
Elisa Behrens / alltrails.com
This was the first live mining camp on the west slopes of the Cascade Range.
Michelle Alke / alltrails.com
There were funding issues and flooding from the river to contend with as well. After a brief attempt to turn Monte Cristo into a resort destination, it became a ghost town.
Rory Mundwiler / alltrails.com
Plus, the fall foliage this time of year is pretty fantastic.
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