To visit an old growth forest usually takes a good deal of effort and a desire to hike into the back country. Rockport State Park is one of only a few stands of old growth forest that you can drive right into and even have a picnic. Located near Rockport on Highway 20 (the North Cascades Highway) Rockport State Park is a 670-acre park in an ancient forest. The old growth was never logged, and the entire ecosystem remains in place, creating a rare, natural forest with a canopy so dense that minimal sunlight penetrates to the ground.
Special thanks should be given to the Sound Timber Co. for refusing to log the majestic old-growth forest and then, in 1935, selling the land and timber to Washington state for $1. In 1961 the Department of Natural Resources turned the property over to the Washington State Parks Department. The park’s name comes from the nearby community of Rockport which takes its name for the numerous large rocks near the boat landing on the Skagit River.
The park stands at the foot of Sauk Mountain, which has an elevation of 5,400 feet and a steep but climbable trail to the top.
Rockport State Park is open for day use only. Due to hazardous trees in the old-growth forest, the campground area is closed indefinitely. Camping is available at nearby Rasar State Park.
To reach Rockport State Park, from I-5 take exit #230, and follow SR. 20 east for 37 miles to milepost-96.5. As at all state parks, parking at Rockport requires the Discover Pass.
This cache is placed on the West Loop Interpretive Trail an approximately 1.5 miles long hard-packed gravel that is suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. There is no need to leave the trail to reach the cache.
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- This geocache has an approved Permit to be placed at this location on property managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Visitors are responsible for acquainting themselves with policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.
- The following items may not be placed in the geocache: food, illegal substances, medications, personal hygiene products, pornographic materials, hazardous materials, or weapons of any type.
- By searching for the cache, visitors agree that they are responsible for their own actions, and acknowledge that neither the State of Washington nor the cache owner is responsible for any loss or injury that may occur in relation to such search.
- Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.
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