In the Open— The National Forests of Washington ^"it 



Emerging from this defile, the river spreads out into a great rock-walled pool, 

 rushing over the rocks and down into the broadening valley in a series of foaming 

 rapids 7 miles in extent. The upper Skagit River country is reached by the county 

 road up the valley from Sedro-Woolley, which is passable for automobiles to a 

 point 10 miles above Marblemount. Pack horses may be obtained at Marble- 

 mount, or one may pursue his journey on foot. At the mouth of Goodell, Ste- 

 tattle, and Ruby Creeks are road houses where meals and lodgings may be ob- 

 tained. Shelters have been erected for the accommodation of camping parties at 

 intervals along the trail. It is known as the Goat Trail, by reason of its roughness, 

 and among its scenic features are the Devil's Elbow and the Giant Stepping Stones* 



The main upper Skagit River and its tributaries — including Ruby, lyightning. 

 Big Beaver, and Little Beaver Creeks — are filled with rainbow, Dolly Varden, 

 black-spotted, and steel-head trout, and offer unsurpassed fishing. Hunters 

 with the camera may find black and brown bear and black-tailed and white-tailed 

 deer fairly abundant; and goat, cougar, bobcat, coyote, and various fur-bearing 

 animals are also common. However, all that portion of Whatcom County within 

 the Washington Forest, which includes the four tiers of townships south of the 

 international boundary, has been set aside as a State game preserve, and only the 

 hunting of predatory animals is permitted. 



The romance of early mining days still hovers over Ruby Creek. Here are 

 the Butcher Cabin, Ghost Cabin, Goat Stamp Mill, Hidden Hand, Lone Tree Gulch^ 

 Nip and Tuck, and many other old prospects and abandoned workings, around 

 which passing years have woven strange and wonderful tales. 



Those who prefer the high mountain-meadow country will find along the summit 

 of the Cascades the land of their dreams. Here is an abundance of feed for horses, 

 and one can ride or walk in the bracing air and sunshine, camping wherever night 

 overtakes him. If he has sufficient skill and patience, he may be able to photo- 

 graph a mountain goat at close range. Splendid fishing is offered by nearly all 

 the streams on the Washington Forest. 



Besides the upper Skagit and its tributaries, Illabot Creek and Lake, Finney 

 Creek, and the Suiattle River and its tributaries deserve special mention. 



Baker Lake, which is reached by a 17-mile trail from Concrete, a railroad and 

 outfitting point, is attractive to many people who enjoy camp life. There is a 



