Little Mountain Park — Attraction in Mount Vernon

This beautiful park feels much more remote than the few minutes it takes to get here from downtown Mount Vernon. There are pros and cons to visiting, however.

Pros: As a biology student researching fungi, this park is a true delight in terms of finding unique specimen. As you can tell from photos, I've found a plethora of different species of fungus, slime molds, and native plants. It's a pretty quiet park, also, so you're surrounded by the sounds of birds, wind in the trees, and the few small brooks you'll come across. It's also advantageous that there are parking lots both at the top and bottom, so you can start either place. The trails are winding, and though there are few maps of them, they each run into each other, and it's easy to find your way back no matter. The views from both the bridge and the gazebo at the top are gorgeous scenes of the Skagit Valley, so even if you start at the bottom, making your way to the top is more than worth it.

Cons: There are regular enough bear sightings that it's definitely important to keep your eyes peeled and carry bear mace, if you can. This park also contains trails specifically for mountain biking and are labeled as such for the safety of bikers and hikers, but that doesn't seem to keep the bikers to those specific trails. You'll find mountain bikers on any trail, and they don't always slow down and do always expect hikers to get out of the way, even on pedestrian trails. I recommend limiting headphone use to one ear or not at all if you use them hiking, so you can listen for oncoming traffic. The park is dog friendly, which is a major bonus, but requires dogs to be on leash. The con here is that many don't respect the leash rule, which can be frustrating to those walking with nervous or reactive pups.

All of that said, this is a lovely park, and most people you run across are friendly. If you run across me staring at logs or photographing mushrooms, feel...

Love to hike here, it's close to home. Trails are clean, with the exception of the occasional dog poo, but those aren't often.

One reservation is that I've had plenty of times where I'm running with my dog and others have their dogs off leash, despite the signs stating all dogs must be on leash, as is the norm for any state parks. Just keep a cautious eye out, as not all these dogs are friendly to other dogs, and not all on leash dogs are dog friendly.

Most trails are wide enough for someone to step to the side to allow others to pass on foot, or home, etc.

My last reservation is that, again, despite signs, people like to smoke cigarettes and/or weed while here. Not only do either smell, someone who is being active should not be subject to second hand smoke in a national park. It is illegal and subject to fines.

I want to say that I do see only one park ranger go around during opening, then again at closing. However, I'm not there all day when hiking. Generally I'm there for 45 minutes to 2.5 hours max, so, I'm sure there's more staff. They're always making new trails for visitor enjoyment, which is super cool.

Most of my reservations about this place is from other people not following the laws. But there are many great trails and all of them, clean. Most of the time it is quiet and peaceful. Trails range from leisurely to difficult, but none are super long.

This place also has a picnic table for lunching and stellar views of the surrounding valley and more. Great place for pictures and wonderful place to start your littles'...

Great Park, Horrific Bathrooms! My 9yr old took us here to go for a hike on Mother’s Day, it was great!

There were lots of trails to hike that ranged from beginner to one’s even an avid hiker would enjoy.

This park is known for paragliders taking off from here but we unfortunately didn’t get to see any this time.

We brought our pup along for the trek and he loved it too but there were quite a few other people we passed on the trails so this is definitely an on leash destination.

There was a family having a picnic up at the view point as well, which I want to do next time, but there was only one table so timing is everything if you plan on grabbing it.

The only reason for the loss of a star is the bathroom. I’m still having flashbacks…. Picture a hole in the ground, one you would only see in your nightmares, then you find out it is supposed to be a toilet. Cover it in God only knows and make sure it has no toilet paper and complete it with a stench that you choke on the second the door opens. Even now you might not have imagined it as bad as it was…. Maybe I need to take another star away after remembering just how awful it was. Needless to say we did not use the toilet, cut our adventure a little short and ran back down the mountain for bathrooms we were not going to contract something from. (maybe the holiday weekend contributed)

All in all it was a great afternoon with the whole family and we...