On the Mountain Loop Highway (HWY 92), outside Granite Falls you can find the ghost town of Monte Cristo. Back in the day, Monte Cristo was a booming hub during the late 1800s because of rich mineral deposits. The mining town grew with the help of a railroad and financers like John D. Rockefeller. Once the mining operation slowed the town was slowly abandoned and now the stamping mills, power generator, an old garage and what is left of the Monte Cristo hotel.
The Monte Cristo ghost town is not haunted, as far as I know, and has only one tombstone, that of James E. Kyes. Kyes was a military officer that lived in the remains of the old hotel during the 1920’s before attending the University of Washington and joining the Naval Academy at Annapolis. When residing in the hotel he planted a Alpine Fir Tree in the middle of ruins, I do not know the reason, which still stands today and is surrounded by picketed fence memorializing Kyes’ courage as military commander on the U.S.S. Leary.
These days Monte Cristo is busy area for campers, hikers, fishermen and sledders. From the Mountain Loop Highway, visitors can park on the side of the highway and hike the 4 mile trail that leads to the old town and see the remains of early Snohomish County history, and possibly even get a little scared, happy Halloween.
Other Hikes: Snohomish County Hiking Information
A special Thanks to Ron Tschetter for providing the winter Monteo Cristo pictures. Ron’s parents where part owners of the town in the 1960’s. In those days the road was maintained by Snohomish County but that was always an iffy thing (especially at the clay slide 3/4 of a mile from Barlow. You could drive all the way in and we charged .50 for parking.
We had 7 rooms upstairs in lodge and 6 cabins we rented out. We served dinner in the dining room (lodge) and also had a lunch counter where I learned to fry hamburgers (boy, did I learn). It was a great place to spend summers and although we didn’t make any money through the years,
When the partners sold it in 1965 to the Colby Parks bunch it was really on it’s last legs. The generating system was hardly working, the cabins needed a facelift and the road was getting worse every year. Snohomish County was beginning to balk at keeping it up because it cost them a lot.
16 Comments
Cool information; thanks! I’d love to see more like this.
Glad you enjoyed it Mike; I will have similar post tomorrow.
Definitely a point of interest for tourists. Many people go up there to sled and just play in the snow as the Mountain Loop Highway closes every year at Monte Cristo. But remember to dress appropriately, have chains, pack an over night “just in case” bag and drive safely. The roads are windy and accidents can easily happen.
My father owned a cabin in Monte Cristo for over 30 years and watched over the town. He gave tours to the school children from down the mountian and knew every inch of that area. I spent a summer vacation there and was very happy to see things being preserved for future generations. Now that dad is gone I hope the next generation will continue his love for the Old Mine.
Wow Tamela, that is to cool. What a great way to grow up as a kid. Monte Cristo probably had enough to keep a young child’s imagination going all summer
my greatAunt is supose to be buried under a tree up there could be the onr in the middle of town,My greatgrandfather mr.Cleveland owned the saloon in town. I believe his full name was Theodore Adison Cleveland. If you could tell me of my grandfarther I would love to learn more. phone number is 928-763=2742 thank you
my grandmother grew up as a child there also
Hi Martha, some interesting family history in Monte Cristo for you. Unfortanetly I do not have any details regarding the residents of the town but the Granite Falls Historical Museum may provide you with some answer, http://www.gfhistory.org/. I would think they would be the best place to start looking and I hope you find what you are looking for.
hello,toby, thank you also my grandmothers name was Gertrude Ellen Clevland and she also resided in the town of granite falls her farther also in later years owned the first gravel pit in granite falls also
Wow you have some deep roots in the Monte Cristo and Granite Falls area. This summer I plan on hiking up there and taking some pictures for this page; or if you have picture you would like to see here Martha you can email them to me at toby@barnettassociates.net.
I know where im hiking this sunday… i had no clue something so cool was so close!!!!! =}
Just drive to the paved end of the Mountain Loop Highway and follow the signs, across the river, and back onto the trail. Have to cross on tree bridges as last years storm took out the regular bridge.
hello, is there any info on and can you metal detect the area of monte cristo.
thanx
bud
I do not know but you want to check with the Granite Falls historical society to see if they know http://www.holthouse.org/GraniteFallsHistoricalSociety or try the Granite Falls Museum http://www.gfhistory.org/
Hello,
Love your website and especially your interest in Monte Cristo. My folks were part owners in early 1960’s. I have many fond memories of working in the lodge, renting cabins and the like. I do have a few slides I scanned of the place if you are interested.
Hi Ron, glad you love the site. Monte Cristo is a great hike during the summer and oI still want to snow shoe it during the winter. Scanned slides would be great and I will upload them to the page – my email is toby@barnettassociates.net – are they from the past/present? Enjoy the sun!