Baring Bridge is a wooden suspension bridge over the South Fork Skykomish River near Baring and U.S. Route 2. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing the structure’s historic status from its crossing status: the bridge is designated a landmark, while specific use restrictions also apply. Nearby, Barclay Lake offers an additional seasonal hiking option.
Baring Bridge: History and Crossing Status
Baring Bridge was built in 1930, designated a King County landmark in 1999, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in August 2019. The historic bridge is closed to all motor vehicle and bicycle traffic. A closure to pedestrians as well was scheduled for September 30, 2026. On August 6, 2026, the temporary Baring Bridge opened to the community. Check the current crossing status before your visit.
Baring and Its Local History
Baring was once a logging town and is now predominantly a residential community with many modern log cabins. The town’s name derives from its proximity to Mount Baring. The community’s history thus brings together an earlier economic sector and a name inspired by the nearby mountain, alongside its present-day residential character.
Hiking at Barclay Lake
Barclay Lake is located near Baring at an elevation of 2,300 feet, in the northeastern shadow of Mount Baring. In the Skykomish River Valley, the hike to the lake is considered family-friendly. The Barclay Lake Trail is generally open only from mid-April through October; fishing at the lake, however, is possible year-round. These are two different time frames to keep in mind when planning: the seasonal opening applies to the trail, not to fishing. So if hiking is part of your plans, take the trail’s limited season into account.
Trail Access and Other Routes
The Mount Baring Trail has different requirements from the hike to Barclay Lake, which is considered family-friendly: it requires intermediate navigation skills, and climbing equipment may be necessary in bad weather. The Mount Baring Trail is unofficial and shares a parking lot with the Barclay Lake Trail. The shared parking lot is a practical overlap, but you should consider the requirements of each trail separately.
To reach the trailheads for the Mount Baring and Barclay Lake trails, take Highway 2 east to Baring. There, the route crosses the railroad tracks and then heads north on 635th Avenue. It is about 4.5 miles to the Barclay Lake trailhead.
Near Baring, a route description dated June 6, 2024, leads to Eagle Lake via the Barclay Lake Trail and onward into the Wild Sky Wilderness. Trail conditions may vary; check conditions for your planned date before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Skykomish, Bellevue, Tukwila, Federal Way, Kent, Snoqualmie, Seattle, Des Moines
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