Robe Canyon Historic Park and Lime Kiln Trail

Hello and Welcome!

Eric and I had agreed that when we moved to Washington, one of our goals would be to do a hike every week. We knew that in order to start the new habits, we'd have to jump in right away and that's what we did on Saturday. Amusingly enough, we had both picked out the same hike location from two different guide books. It had appeared to be visually the nearest hike to our area, was not so long as it would be bad for us jumping in cold and had only slight elevation changes (compared to the rest of the area...) and was listed as being hikable in all seasons.

We braved the mall on Black Friday and participated in the gross consumerism as we purchased new hiking boots from REI (my new favorite store!) The hike commenced on Saturday. We got a bit of a late start as we signed paperwork and got keys to the apartment that morning. There was some concern that we might not finish the hike before dusk fell (and the parking lot got locked up) so we hustled out to the area. It only took about 30 min and along the way I saw some towns where I wouldn't mind owning a house. Anyway, on to the hike details!





6.4 mile hike round trip, just outside of Granite Falls


One of the trail books we had stated that there were restrooms at the trailhead. It lies. We ended up driving back into town to pee. That was okay. Town wasn't far away.


We started off pretty strongly. The hike out only gains in 160' on the way out, most of it is down hill (and what goes up must come down....)


The trees are covered in moss. It's so beautiful and it gave the forest a very -green- feel despite the temperature (low 40s F)




The trail opened up once it was on private land (it passes through briefly) and was very easy going. The start of the downhill was here. We passed a couple groups on their way out who had gotten much earlier starts than we did.


Eric looking downhill. You can see the 'up' on the other side.


We're off of private land!


Eric was far colder than I was. I had ended up taking off my fleece and just going with my first two thinner layers. I was working so hard my hands were warm on their own. I think Eric was jealous. And despite the fact that I hate my body right now, I consider these pictures "before". I'll be able to see how much I improve with these hikes.


OMG rosy cheeks, I was SO warm.


The setting with bits of snow remaining in shadowed pockets was just amazing. And now, seeing this picture again, it makes me think of Narnia. It just seemed magical.




We crossed over a creek. The lake it originates from is just through the trees on the right.


Self explanatory name. Hubbard Creek from Hubbard Lake!


The creek!


Starting on the former railroad tracks. The hike before this point was open to horses and bicyclists as well.


Darker forest. Greener too and not as much snow. It was also getting misty, like we were in a cloud, though I don't think we were at high enough elevations for that.




The trail is a former railroad grade, though at times I wondered just -where- the railroad would have been. Parts of the trail were crazy narrow!


Our first view of the Stillaguamish River.


Okay, maybe we were in bits of low clouds....


Crazy bridge we had to cross.





Some measly rapids.


Part of the trail washed out and we had to precariously scramble on the mud and wet trees while avoiding stinging nettle.




Trees had fallen over the trail and we had to scramble through these. It smelled very christmasy thanks to the evergreens.




Our first sight of lime kiln artifacts. Saw blade!

The Lime Kiln itself:











One of my favorite pictures.

Another favorite.


Rapids!


Eric. <3
Awesome eroded stone/boulder


The start of the river's beach



looking upriver


"I'm gonna see if it's cold!" "Is it?" "Yep...."


Awesome river rocks


The green was the prettiest stone.






Another favorite.


The cool boulder





So we ended up hiking back on overdrive. The hike back has an elevation gain of 300'. (more than double what you go up going out) I could feel every bone in my body aching but the air was just beautiful to breathe, it felt fresh and crisp and for a good part you had the thundering of the river below you. I absolutely loved it. The guide books rated it a 2 star/2* which means that it was low on the difficulty and had an average view. As first time hikers in the area I think it was a perfect hike for us. We are loving the new scenery and we were stunned by the scenes we were taking in at the river edge. The supposed draw of the hike is the lime kiln, but we were more impressed by the river. I really want to do it again, in the summer perhaps, and leave in the morning so we can picnic at the river before turning around. I'd really like that, I think.