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Many have sped past Wildwood Chapel on their way elsewhere, probably wondering exactly what that white blur was.

Well, if you take this hike, you’ll also have the opportunity to acquaint yourself with the tiny house of worship.

For many years, the chapel was in a field on Highway 2 just east of Monroe.

In 1975, the chapel was damaged by vandals. So extensive was the damage, that the chapel was replaced with a new one.

The Rudy Clark family decided that the vandalized remains of the old chapel need not perish. The chapel was transported to its current site on Highway 20 where it was reconstructed.

Since the chapel’s dedication in 1977, thousands have stopped to visit. Inside the chapel’s cozy confines, one finds a rather unique and peaceful atmosphere.

Distance: 2.5 miles

Destination: The banks of the Skagit River

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: None

Getting there: Highway 20 east. Just before Marblemount, about 38 miles from Sedro-Woolley, is the trailhead. It lies across the highway from Clark’s Cabins and is next to the Wildwood Chapel.

The Trek: Park just to the east of Wildwood Chapel, then locate the River Trail sign just west of the structure.

Go left on a muddy road and enter a forest of moss-covered, old-growth trees. At a fork, continue straight on a dirt road. The branch to the right leads to a recent logging operation.

The road bends to the right as it reaches the Skagit River. A sandy bar boasts a tire swing and bench.

At the four-way intersection, continue straight. Left leads to a dirt boat launch favored by rafters (an inflated raft was laid on its side against several trees) while right leads to the highway.

On the other side of the intersection, venture between a pair of posts proclaiming this section closed to motor vehicles.

The area is littered with the remains of fallen trees, which are slowly being recycled by nature. Numerous paths lead off the main trail and end at the river. A quick jaunt down one of these paths leads to the crisp-clear waters of the Skagit River.

If the time is right, boats and rafts can be seen upon the river. There are also great views up and down the river, including the jagged, snow-capped Cascade peaks to the east.

Cross a culvert and hike past an old snag that bears a resemblance to someone standing with their arms stretched above their head. Many stumps boast springboard notches courtesy of loggers from long ago.

Continuing on, the river begins to roar as it tumbles through a large set of rapids.

A short distance farther, the trail abruptly ends. A large wood fence complete with barbed wire signals the end of the trail. Make your way around the naturally-occuring roundabout and begin the trek back.

If you aren’t feeling quite fulfilled, venture past the rig and find the trailhead for the Old Church Drift Hole. Head downhill into the forest. At the first fork, venturing right takes one under a massive maple tree before leading to the Skagit River Trail.

Returning to the fork and proceeding right leads to yet another fork just steps farther on. Heading right is a dead end. Left leads to a fisherman’s trail and the Old Church Drift Hole.

Bursting out of the thick foliage, venture onto the banks of the Skagit River. From here, one can traipse east or west down the shoreline.

Choosing to go east, one can wander about a half-mile before the shoreline becomes too overgrown and narrow to continue. You can venture farther to the west. However, heading in that direction one doesn’t get the great mountain views.

After traipsing over flattened grasses, hopping from rock to rock and leaving a footprint or two on a sand bar, return to the trail and make your way back to the rig.