Monte Cristo

Tucked into eastern Snohomish County in western Washington, Monte Cristo is a ghost town with a layered past. It began as a gold and silver mining hub in 1889 and remained active in that industry through 1907, after which the site found a second life as a resort destination that drew visitors until 1983.

Today the town is reached only by hiking in, which shapes the experience considerably. Visitors arrive on foot and explore what remains of this once-busy settlement against a backdrop of western Washington forest and mountain terrain.

Because access requires a hike and the area sits in the mountains of Snohomish County, summer and early fall offer the most reliable conditions. Snow and difficult trail conditions are realistic hazards in winter and early spring.