Three Fingers - Goat Flats - Saddle Lake Trail #641

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Three Fingers - Goat Flats - Saddle Lake Trail #641

Highlights: Mountain views, Forest, Boulder River Wilderness, climbers route

Distance: 6.7 miles miles one-way

Beginning Elevation : 3000 feet

Ending Elevation: 6854 feet at Three Fingers, 5000 feet at Goat Flat, and 4000 feet at Saddle Lake.

Difficulty level: Most Difficult

Map(s): Green Trails #110 Silverton #109 Granite Falls

Visitor Use: Medium to Heavy

SUMMARY:

A rough, boot trail travels from Tupso Pass and enters the Boulder River Wilderness. Continue through dense forest to 4.0-acre Saddle Lake at 2.5 miles. In the early 1970's, a shelter was constructed by the Everett Mountaineers at the edge of the meadows near the lake. No camping within 200 feet of Saddle Lake. Fires are prohibited from Saddle Lake to Three Fingers.

Travel 2.3 miles farther through subapline meadows and timber to Goat Flats. This area is often crowded on summer and fall weekends.

The trail continues on and reaches Tin Pan Gap after 6.2 miles. The hike to the lookout is very difficult and strenuous. The last 0.5 mile of the trail requires mountain climbing equipment expertise.

A short, steep section of the Three Fingers Glacier must be traversed, followed by a rocky scramble and ascent of steep ladders to the lookout on the south peak of Three Fingers Mountain. As there is considerable exposure, those using the cabin and ladder must determine for themselves if the climb to the lookout is safe.

The lookout was built in 1932-33 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was necessary to blast off the top 10 to 15 feet of the peak in order to build the structure. Old telephone wires can still be seen intermittently along the Three Fingers trail from its origin in the Boulder River Valley to Three Fingers Mountain. In 1986 the Everett Mountaineers assumed maintenance of the lookout.

The Three Fingers trail formerly went from the Boulder River Valley to Tupso Pass and from there to Goat Flats and Three Fingers Mountain via the Boulder River Trail #734.

Although the Boulder River trail is maintained for 4.0 miles to the Boulder River ford, the section from there to Tupso Pass is not maintained. However, it can be followed by those wishing to hike the full length of the "old trail", but be aware of rotten puncheon bridges, fallen logs and overgrown bushes of devil's club and nettles.

TRAILHEAD ACCESS:From the Verlot Public Service Center (11 miles east of Granite Falls), travel west on the Mountain Loop Highway for 3.9 miles. Turn right (north) on the Tupso Pass Road #41 and follow this road for 18.0 miles to the trailhead.

Northwest Forest Pass required to park: Yes

TRAILGUIDE

Best Seasons: Summer/Fall

AREA

Verlot, Mountain Loop Highway

RANGER STATION (NEAREST)

1405 Emmens St. Darrington, WA 98241

Open Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm(360) 436-1155

Verlot PublicService Center

Open Thursday - Monday8 am - 4:30 pm (360) 691-7791

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Notice: Hiking in the backcountry can be dangerous. Information on this website comes from a variety of sources. You have to be responsible for using good common sense and researching trails carefully. Things change constantly in the outdoors.

Use caution while hiking so you can enjoy it safely. Don't get in over your head. A call to the ranger station and avalanche hotline(winter) are highly recommended. Bring the ten essentials and make sure someone knows where you are going and expect to be back.