Meet us at Barlow Pass July 17 for the next MCPA volunteer work party. We will drive the first 3/4 mile of the county road then hike towards town, clearing brush and tending to trailwork along the way.

The plan will be to walk all the way into town carrying string and brush trimmers so we can tackle new growth around the cabins, turntable and trails. Others may stay behind and work on brushing the county road if desired. Bring any trailwork tools you have that might be helpful. The MCPA has several gas trimmers to use.

Meet at Barlow Pass green gate by 9:00AM. Barlow Pass is 30 miles east of Granite Falls on the Mountain Loop Highway. We will be waiting as a group at the Barlow Pass Gate up until 9:00AM, at which point we will drive upriver on the old county road. Stay as long as you like, but we typically work until 3:00ish. Those hiking into town may choose to stay longer, in order to make better use of the trip.

Meet us at Barlow Pass for the first MCPA volunteer work party of 2021. There are a lot of wind fallen trees on the old county route and trail that we will be working to clear. Weather outlook is good mid-70’s with little chance of rain. Dress for work and bring adequate food and drink for yourself. Activities may include hiking upriver along the old county road and carrying tools and supplies.

Meet at Barlow Pass green gate by 9:00AM. Barlow Pass is 30 miles east of Granite Falls on the Mountain Loop Highway. We will be waiting as a group at the Barlow Pass Gate up until 9:00AM, at which point we will begin working, going further upriver as the day progresses. Stay as long as you like, but we typically work until 3:00ish.

It’s almost June and the Mountain Loop is nearly thawed out. The Mountain Loop highway has reopened from Deer Creek to Barlow Pass, providing road access to the Monte Cristo trail and townsite. The remainder of the mountain loop (from Barlow to Bedal) will likely be re-opened by Memorial Day Weekend.

We will hold our annual meeting on June 5th, 2021 11:00AM PDT. Due to COVID restrictions and a lack of public gathering places, the meeting will be virtual using Zoom. You may connect to the meeting (details below) either from your computer or phone. Please plan to join early to ensure your connectivity and audio setup.

Our first work party of the year will be held on June 19, and each 3rd Saturday thereafter. Meet us at Barlow Pass gate by 9:00AM. On June 19th we will be walking the county road clearing windfalls and brushing the trails. Dress for the weather. Because we’ll have direct access to the county road, there will be no specific end time, although most volunteers stay until around 3:00PM.

Lastly, annual membership dues (Still $25) are due as of January. Please see the membership information at the “Membership” link above.

New this year we have added an option to join the MCPA, pay membership and make online donations to MCPA using PayPal. See the new PayPal links on the Membership and Contact Pages. If you do use the online payment option, please include in the note the purpose of the payment (New Member, Renewal, Gate Key, Donation, etc). For new members, please also fill out the membership form and email to mcpa.us@yahoo.com. Also for donations, include in the note if you want the donation specific to the Interpretive Site fund. Lastly, if donating via PayPal and you are not a current member, please include your mailing address in the PayPal note section.

Zoom meeting details:
Time: June 5, 2021 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 160 055 7720
Passcode: Call in Number: +1 669 254 5252
Join online: https://www.zoomgov.com/join

Join us October 17th (3rd Saturday) 9:00 AM for our volunteer work party. Meet at the Barlow Pass gate; we’ll be wearing the neon yellow safety vests. Feel free to let us know to expect you so we can wait for your arrival. Realize there is zero phone reception once outside Granite Falls, so no means to make contact the morning of the work party.

We will mainly be doing brushing and maintenance work on the county roadway, and weather permitting, working on the roofing project on FS resort cabin #4.

Please plan to arrive prior to 9:00 so we can tag up and disperse at 9:00.

Join us September 19th (3rd Saturday) 9:00 AM for our volunteer work party. Meet at the Barlow Pass gate; we’ll be wearing the neon yellow safety vests. Feel free to let us know to expect you so we can wait for your arrival. Realize there is zero phone reception once outside Granite Falls, so no means to make contact the morning of the work party.

We will mainly be doing brushing and maintenance work on the county roadway, and weather permitting working on the roofing project on FS resort cabin #4.

Please plan to arrive prior to 9:00 so we can tag up and disperse at 9:00.

These photos showcase the Monte Cristo Resort cabins, built in the 1950’s by the Wilkes, on the former railroad yards. These are currently on US Forest Service property. The actual Monte Cristo townsite remains are beyond the cabins (to the left), across 76 creek. A steel bridge and well maintained trail will lead you there. Follow Dumas street past many marked building sites. At an intersection of trails, left will take you to the remains of the United Companies Concentrator (once the tallest building in Snohomish County), right will lead you to Sunday Falls and other townsite remains, and straight ahead leads to more remains, Glacier Falls and Glacier Basin (Glacier falls an easy .75 miles, Glacier Basin about 2 miles, including some tactical/steep climbs).

Join us August 15th (3rd Saturday) for our volunteer work party. Meet at Barlow Pass gate. Feel free to let us know to expect you so we can wait for your arrival. Realize there is zero phone reception once outside Granite Falls, so no means to make contact the morning of the work party.

Due to USFS restrictions, we’ll mainly be doing brushing and maintenance work on the county roadway. We may opt to paint the county gate at Barlow should anyone be interested in that task.

Please plan to arrive prior to 9:00 so we can tag up and disperse at 9:00.

Meet us at Barlow Pass gate at 9:00 AM for our July work party. The Forest Service has yet to lift the restriction on working on FS property, so we will not be working on the cabin roof or other townsite work. There is much brushing and maintenance needed on the county road, which is a prime candidate for work. Come prepared for the weather, which currently is looking to be cloudy but dry.

Please plan to arrive prior to 9:00 so we can tag up and disperse at 9:00.

The MCPA’s 2020 work party dates are set and will commence on June 20.

Volunteer work parties are always the 3rd Saturday of the month starting in June and going into fall as weather permits (typically October). This will include (at a minimum) June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19 and October 17.

We will always meet at the Barlow Pass gate (adjacent to trailhead parking for Monte Cristo, Gothic Basin and Barlow Point trails) with intent to depart at 9:00, so plan to arrive by 8:45 to be safe. Barlow Pass is 30 miles east of Granite Falls on the Mountain Loop highway; plan on a 40 minute drive from Granite.

Once everyone has gathered at Barlow we will disperse to locations deemed relevant for the day’s planned work. This may include work on the old county road/trail from Barlow, work on the old railway route heading west from Barlow, or driving into the town to perform work in the townsite and adjacent trails. We will always have room for ride sharing into the townsite; a capable all wheel drive vehicle is necessary.

This year we are considering the idea of having some 2-day work parties with a Saturday to Sunday overnight stay. This would significantly increase the time available for work in the townsite as driving both to Barlow and into the townsite can easily consume 4 hours round trip, so getting two days work out of that trip would be a huge benefit. We’ll provide more details on these plans as they materialize. Certainly this will not be the plan for the June 20 work party, but could occur as early as July.

Plans for this years work parties include completing the re-roofing project on Forest Service Cabin #4, preparing the grounds and installing our interpretative signage on the MCPA townsite lots, further assessment and preparations for the planned interpretative structure/facade, and the ever present need to do brushing work within the townsite and adjoining trails. We are fortunate to have been able to keep these public areas well maintained and within check. Without our constant upkeep on these areas, the historical townsite, especially the former rail yard (where the Forest Service cabins are) would be completely overgrown, versus the beautiful grass meadow it is today.

Please bring weather appropriate gear and sufficient nourishment for your attendance. A typical work party will last until early afternoon, with a expected departure from the townsite by 3:00. Due to restrictions on the CERCLA road gate key and the slow travel speed, it is prohibitive to arrange for more than one entry and exit from the townsite (exception: when we do plan an overnight stay, volunteers who can only attend one day will be accommodated).

MCPA can always provide ground and brushing tools, but feel free to bring your own (clippers, trimmers, hand saws, chain saws, etc) so that there is ample to go around. MCPA will always supply any tools or supplies needed for construction work.

Feel free to email us as listed on the “Contact” page if you have questions on work party plans. Also let us know if you do plan to attend a work party so we can know who to expect at Barlow. We don’t want to leave anyone behind!

Our 2020 Annual Winter Social is February 1st at 5:30pm.

Fred Cruger from the Granite Falls Historical Museum will be giving a presentation on the recent tools and techniques being used for historical preservation and education. Fred will highlight several tools available to the public online with an emphasis on the information relevant to the Monte Cristo Mining Area.

The Winter Social is to start at 5:30 pm with a potluck dinner (doors to be open at 5:00 for set-up). Please bring food (main, side or dessert) and serving utensils for the potluck. The location is the same as usual: Jennings Memorial Park in Marysville, also known as “The Barn”. The event is typically finished by 8:00.

Directions: “The Barn” At Jennings Memorial Park 6915 Armar Road, Marysville, WA
Going north on I-5, exit #199 at Marysville and go right (east) on 4th St, about 3⁄4 miles. Then turn left (north) on 47th–this becomes Armar Rd. At approximately 1⁄2 mile, turn right into Jennings Memorial Park driveway. The Barn is about 300 feet from the Armar Road entrance. Going south on I-5, exit #200 (88th St) and go east to State Ave. Turn right on State and go south, about 1 mile to John Anderson St (also called, “Grove St.”). Turn left on Grove St. and go east .7 miles to 51st. Then turn right (south) on 51st (Armar Road), about .2 miles to Jennings Memorial Park. The Barn is about 300 feet from the Armar Road entrance.

Also – Annual Dues for 2020 are now due. $25 for new and renewing members, covers the entire calendar year. Membership form available at the top menu of the MCPA website. You may also pay the dues in person at the February 1st event.