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If you are at all fascinated by the history of the Monte Cristo area, you need to see the tunnels of the Monte Cristo Railroad near Granite Falls. The railroad tunnels were constructed in 1892 as part of the rail line between Everett and Monte Cristo. In Robe Canyon, they constructed three bridges and six tunnels. Shortly after, a storm washed out the grade and buried parts of it in landslides. The river would even travel through the tunnels washing everything away. After this happened a few times, they decided to embed the rail ties in concrete, including through tunnel #6.

Puget Sound Hikes

From Granite Falls, drive east on the Mountain Loop Highway around 6 miles. Look for the Old Robe Sign on the right with parking off the shoulder in front and behind the sign.

Access:

Route:

Tunnel #6 West Entrance

Tunnel #6 East Entrance

Tunnel #5

Tunnel #5

Rail ties still lodged into the rock and concrete

Trail map just before the drop down into the canyon

Old Robe Trail sign off the Mountain Loop Highway

South Fork Stillaguamish River heading into Robe Canyon

Where the trail hits the Stillaguamish River

Forests from the trailhead to the canyon rim

Trail to the tunnels

Old timbers

Crossing the slide section just before the first tunnel #6

Route

The trail starts off flat through a nice forest but quickly hits the rim of the canyon. Several well made switchbacks drop you to the valley floor. The trail loops around a boggy area before reaching the Stillaguamish River. The trail follows the river down into the canyon. There are muddy spots at this point and the trail isn't maintained as nicely. Within a quarter mile or so you start reaching the cliffy area of Robe Canyon. Here you begin to see the railroad bed carved into the rock. Just as things are getting really interesting, signs say to not go any further...before you even reach the first tunnel. A landslide has occurred just before the first tunnel #6. If you continue, a path has been made across the slide but it might be tricky for some. The first tunnel is rather large and quite exciting for young kids. The trail continues to tunnel #5 although the tread there is starting to fall down into the river as well. Tunnel #5 is much smaller but still interesting to see with all the erosion around it. Going beyond #5 is unlikely and unnecessary. There is a large slide at the other end and more beyond that. The next few tunnel entrances have been blocked by landslides and much of the railway is gone too.