Marysville to Darrington Loop
 Ride
Idea
You could ride in Washington State all your life and miss
one of the coolest backroads along the Skagit River. Brian Gough of the
Washington State BMW Riders put together this jaunt in 2001 and I promised I'd
steal it from him and publish it. He agreed to allow me to. I've
augmented some of Gough's original ride in order to provide riders with the
welcome trip along Highway 9, thus cutting down needless and otherwise boring
travel along I-5.
 Our
jaunt begins and ends in Marysville. Are you ready? Click on the
small map at left for a larger printable one.
Ride Duration: Approximately 4
1/2 hours, 150 miles or so.
Caution: In the fall,
winter and spring expect sand residue at all intersections; shady areas can
hint of frost on cold days. Please plan to leave Marysville with a full
tank of gas.
Marysville to Lake
McMurray: (1) Head north on I-5; turn left and head north from Exit 199 to Exit 208.
Exit freeway, turning right (east) ride for about 5 miles on WA 530 towards
Arlington. Once in Arlington (2), turn left heading north on SR 9 and ride to Lake
McMurry.
Lake McMurray to Sedro
Wooley: At the "T" intersection, turn right, head north on SR 9 toward
Sedro Wooley. If you need to, cross the Skagit River and take care of any
business you may have in Sedro Wolley, otherwise...
South Skagit Highway
runs east from SR 9 to Concrete, obviously along the south side of the river.
Just south of the bridge (3) pick up this road and head east on this route.
The road wanders east (4, 5) in series
of rises and curves towards Day Creek (6); watch out for sharp right turn at the
east end of this "town" that seems to drag on forever. Continue east
till the "Y" intersection. South Skagit Highway bears left to cross-river
into Concrete, don't go there.
Turn Right before
bridge (watch for lots of sand on roadway) onto Concrete-Sauk Valley Road and
continue east-southeast towards Darrington. Road twists and turns through
forested area. Road ends at Sauk River, crossing over single lane, metal Grate
Bridge to intersect with SR 530 in the "T" intersection; watch for sand!
Turn right at the "T"
intersection (7), head south on SR 530 towards Darrington; about 5
miles south of entering SR 530, encounter the second metal bridge of this ride.
About 7 miles further south is the town of Darrington (8). Gas at Shell along with
coffee and restroom at three way stop. Fairly good food is available at gray
restaurant on your left at West End of town if you're hungry.
Darrington to Arlington;
about 28 miles of somewhat boring but pleasant SR 530 highway.
Turn left at sign Arlington
Hills Road (9); follow signs to Granite Falls, then about 1 mile turn right at
Jordan Road (10), head south on pleasant two-lane highway for about 9 miles into
Granite Falls (11).
Turn right at stoplight,
intersection with SR 92, and head west to Lake Stevens (12).
Turn left at SR 9
stoplight, head south to next light, Soper Hill Road.
Turn Right on Soper Hill
Road, follow till intersection at 4-way stop with Sunnyside Blvd.
Head straight west onto
Sunnyside following that road, which changes to Third into Marysville. Turn
right at State Street stoplight, head north one block to stoplight. Turn left at
Fourth Street to 1-5 (14).
Have a great safe
ride home
|
