Looking for more hikes along Mountain Loop Highway?
Check out Kelcema Lake further west along this scenic drive.
WE HIKED IT
January, 2021, 2 hours including a substantial snack break
LOCATION
Old Robe Canyon is located seven miles east of Granite Falls, Washington, right off Mountain Loop Highway.
LENGTH
The trail into Old Robe Canyon is accessible for about 1.2 miles, making this a 2.5 mile out-and-back hike. Originally, it extended further into the canyon, but the remainder of the trail is closed indefinitely due to a rockslide.
DIFFICULTY
Moderate/Potentially Strenuous — The trail begins with a short series of switchbacks down into the canyon, and is fairly flat after that point. However, it is muddy, muddy, muddy (at least during the wet season). Come prepared for lots of mud if you’re hiking in fall, winter, or spring. When we hiked it, there were many fallen trees across the trail we had to climb over. Most appeared to be pretty fresh, so perhaps work crews will clear the logs come spring (a big thank you to all the many trail workers out there!). The last section is rocky and can be quite slick when wet. In some places, the trail follows a ledge above the river with a sharp drop-off. Fortunately, it’s fairly wide at this point, but keep an eye on younger children. The Stillaguamish River is fast-moving and dangerous, not a place for play.
CURRENT INFO
For current trail reports about the Old Robe Canyon Trail, visit the WTA (Washington Trails Association) website. The hike is also featured in the guidebook Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington by Susan Elderkin.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Park for free along Mountain Loop Highway at the Old Robe Canyon trailhead. A brick sign that reads “Old Robe Trail” marks the spot.
- No toilets or drinking water are available.
- Dogs on leash are welcome.
- Bring clothing and footgear for muddy trails, especially if it rained recently (really any time in late fall, winter, or early spring). I recommend rain pants (even if it’s not raining, they’ll keep you dry when climbing over wet logs), boots with good traction, and waterproof or water resistant outer layers. It’s so nice to be able to peel off your wet and muddy outerwear and boots before getting back in the car! If you bring your dog, definitely pack an old towel for a post-hike wipe down.
- The Old Robe Canyon Trail follows a former railroad track built in the 1890s along the Stillaguamish River to connect the Monte Cristo mines with Everett. From the beginning, this was a treacherous route, and frequent rockslides and flooding led to the eventual abandonment of the line. Today’s trail was built by boy scouts in the 1960s.
- Please note: The Old Robe Canyon Trail is closed about 1.2 miles into the hike. In addition to natural barriers, a sign clearly marks this endpoint and states that those who continue may be cited. For your own safety, please end your hike at this point.
HIGHLIGHTS
The hike through the woods into Old Robe Canyon is beautiful, but the Stillaguamish River is the real star. It thunders through a rocky crevasse, vividly demonstrating how challenging it must have been even to attempt building a railway through the narrow canyon. In January, we were also rewarded with a graceful waterfall cascading into the river marking the trail’s end.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
My kids didn’t complain once during this entire hike (at least not that I heard). Not once! I didn’t hear a single complaint in the car, either. What a start to the New Year! Now, I can’t claim that Old Robe Canyon possesses any magical qualities, but for adventurous children it’s a wonderful hike. While clambering over fallen logs, my older son, J, proclaimed, “This is like Parkour!” If you go during the wet season (basically fall, winter, or spring), be prepared for lots of mud and other debris, and bring your sense of adventure! Please keep in mind that this is no walk in the park, however – see the “Difficulty” section above to determine if this is an appropriate hike for your kids.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Since this is a short hike, why not make a day of it and explore more trails along Mountain Loop Highway? If you’re up for a longer hike, try nearby Heather Lake, a beautiful 4.6 mile out-and-back hike. For a nice, easy option, try the 2 mile out-and-back trail to Boardman Lake. If you visit in winter or early spring, check weather and trail conditions before you go. Further along Mountain Loop Highway and down a rough dirt road, Kelcema Lake is another charming short hike.
Our Experience
First Day hikes are a tradition for many. No matter the weather, you’ll find people of all ages setting out on the trails each New Year’s Day. It’s a good tradition, I think. Intentionally spending time in nature provides a sense of renewal and rejuvenation, perfect for ushering in a fresh new year.
This year, we chose to hike the Old Robe Canyon Trail with friends. This trail checked all the boxes: It wasn’t too long, yet long enough to feel like an actual hike (because let’s be real, we were not about to rise early on New Year’s Day for a full day on the trail). It was only an hour’s drive from our home. It’s accessible year round, and while somewhat well-known, it doesn’t get the extremely high traffic that the most popular trails see.
The trail begins right off Mountain Loop Highway; simply pull over near the roadside Old Robe Trail sign, and you’re there. Heading into the woods, we soon crossed our first patch of mud. It was the first of many to come, and little did we realize just how muddy it would get.
The first section of the trail follows a fairly short series of switchbacks down to the canyon floor. Surrounded by trees heavy with moss, we entered a watery new world. Marshes, swollen with winter rain, created a maze of temporary islands.
We continued through the forest, leaving the marshes behind. Following the sound of rushing water, an expansive view of the Stillaguamish River opened before us, a wide expanse of churning water, clay brown and frothing white. The kids peered down for a closer look.
“Careful!” I warned. “This is a fast-moving river, so we have to keep our distance.” It sounds like the typical mom warning, but I was serious. Raging rivers require special attention and care.
Forging ahead, we weren’t surprised to encounter more mud, and even a few minor creek crossings. I’d like to to take a moment now to note that hiking with a five-month-old Golden Retriever puppy is a little… frustrating. Walking a fifty-pound dog who is clearly excited to be on the trail, but has no sense of boundaries when it comes to leash pulling, does not lend itself to a peaceful experience. I was frankly terrified that a sudden jerk on the leash would leave me sprawling in the mud. Thankfully, we made it to the end with no mishaps. Also thankfully, he was due for a bath anyway. This is not a hike for clean dogs!
As the hike continued along the river, the scenery grew more dramatic. The canyon narrowed, and the trail hewed closely to the river’s edge. Remnants of the former railroad appeared, providing a rocky track for us to follow as the roar of the river grew louder.
Up ahead, two waterfalls plunged over the canyon walls to the Stillaguamish below. One wasn’t much more than a trickle, but the other was a cascade of foaming whitewater. Just past the point where the second falls flowed across the trail, a sign noted the trail closure ahead. My older son, J, was disappointed at first. He watched a few other hikers continue past this point, and his sense of adventure urged him on. After I explained that the closure was for our own safety, he accepted his limits and turned his attention to snacks instead.
On the way back, we crossed over the now-familiar fallen logs and skirted the muddy patches as best we could. I stopped struggling to take photos while managing an unruly puppy and simply enjoyed the walk through the forest. Fueled by goldfish crackers and mango licorice, my five-year-old, T, forged ahead and was the first person to arrive back at the trailhead! Having just turned five, he was quite proud of his new hiking prowess.
Back at the car, we said goodbye to our friends and peeled off our muddy rain pants and boots. I toweled Buddy off and stepped into the car just as the first few raindrops began to fall. As we pulled away from the Old Robe Canyon trailhead, the drops came faster and harder, and soon the heavens were pouring. Perfect timing! We drove home through the rain, enjoying the memories of a wonderful First Day hike.
