Whitehorse Regional Trail

Spanning over 27 miles between the City of Arlington and the Town of Darrington, the Whitehorse Regional Trail follows the path of the former BNSF railroad through the North Stillaguamish River Valley. The trail meanders through the valley from its junction with the Centennial Regional Trail in Arlington, frequently paralleling SR 530 and the North Fork Stillaguamish River. The back county corridor, rewards visitors with picturesque, landscape views of forests, farmland, streams and rivers, and mountain vistas.

There are currently two closures on the Whitehorse trail. The first is between the Centennial Trail connection and the Trafton Trailhead. The second is just west of 435th Ave NE near Darrington. These closures are due to landslides and river washouts. The remainder of the trail is open to the public and much of the trail has recently been resurfaced with compacted gravel.

Current Status

Updated 7/06/2020

Construction has been completed and the trail is open to the public from Trafton to just west of 435th Ave NE and from 435th Ave NE to Darrington. Snohomish County is working to acquire grants to repair the closure west of Trafton as well as working on a trail re-route around the washout at 435th Ave NE.

Project Description

Spanning 27 miles between the City of Arlington and the Town of Darrington, the Whitehorse Regional Trail follows the path of the former BNSF railroad through the North Stillaguamish River Valley. The trail meanders through the valley from its junction with the Centennial Regional Trail in Arlington, frequently paralleling SR 530 and the North Fork Stillaguamish River. The backcounty corridor, rewards visitors with picturesque, landscape views of forests, farmland, streams and rivers, and mountain vistas. Currently only a 6 mile portion of the trail from Darrington to Swede Heaven Road is open to the public.

Whitehorse Regional Trail development will occur in three phases.

Recently completed work

Most of the trail has been resurfaced with gravel and compacted and is open to the public. The exception is from the Centennial trail to Trafton and just west of 435th Ave NE where the trail is closed due to landslides and river washouts.

Future Work:

Status - Future projects will be completed as funding is available.

Darrington area trail re-route around the river washout just west of 435th Ave NE on hold for funding;
Landslide debris removal between Arlington and Trafton - on hold for funding;
Engineering, permitting and repair of landslide and trail bed wash-out between Arlington and Trafton - on hold for funding;
Resurfacing of 2.7 miles of trail between the Centennial Trail junction in Arlington and Trafton - on hold for funding;
Resurfacing of 7 miles of trail from Swede Heaven Road to Price Street Trailhead in Darrington - on hold for funding;
Replacement of Bridge 713 - on hold for funding;
Repair/Replacement of Bridge 710 - on hold for funding;
Develop trail connection to Whitehorse Community Park and establish trailhead - on hold for funding;
Develop Miller Shingle Mill trailhead and fly-fishing museum - on hold for funding;
Develop trail connection to Squire Creek Campground and establish trailhead - on hold for funding;
Cultural Resource studies and partnerships with the Stillaguamish and Sauk-Suiattle Tribes for interpretive sites - on hold for funding;
Camping Improvements at the Fortson Mill trailhead - on hold for funding;
Camping Improvements at Whitehorse Community Park - Underway;
Camping Improvements at Squire Creek Campground - on hold for funding.

All acquisitions, plans and site developments are subject to funding availability and subject to Snohomish County Executive and County Council approval.