[goleary]

I've heard that the Mountain Loop highway is gated 2 miles from the trail to big 4. Does anyone know where it's gated on the north end? I've heard it's usually gated ~9 miles from Darrington, that appears as though it's before the turn off to Pugh. Does anyone know if the Pugh trail head typically remains accessible once they gate the road for the season (snow on the road aside)?

[Schroder]

It's about 5 miles to the trailhead from the gate.

[goleary]

Just so I understand what you are saying, do you mean the trailhead is beyond the gate (coming from darrington), adding 5 road miles to the trip? or that the gate is beyond the trailhead, not affecting access to Pugh from darrington. I was under the impression that some people live in the bedal area and road remains open through there (which is beyond the pugh trailhead...)

[Schroder]

No one lives in Bedal. The gate is where the Whitechuck River joins the Sauk. It's a 5 mile walk beyond to the Pugh Trailhead.

[Chief Joseph]

There is a road heading off to the right heading west and a sign that says, "Forgotten" something or other and a bridge not far from the turnoff....maybe there are summer cabins down that road? I did not venture past the bridge as there are Private Property signs.

[goleary]

Just to update anyone else who's interested, the road to Pugh is open and driveable both ML and the road to the Pugh trail, not a bit of snow on the trail even till near 4k feet. There was a sign that said the mountain loop is closed at Barlow pass (coming from darrington) but we didn't continue past the turn off for Pugh.

[geyer]

Looked like a fun trip Gabe So where exactly are the MLH winter closures typically? I've never ventured on Mountain loop in winter in either direction

[Kim Brown]