Exploring the Ghost Town of Monte Cristo Washington. An Abandoned Historic Gold Boom Town

Join us as we take you on a full tour as we share the sights and history of the long abandoned historic mining ghost town of Monte Cristo located at the headwaters of the South Fork Sauk River in eastern Snohomish County Washington.
Monte Cristo is a ghost town northwest of Monte Cristo Peak, in eastern Snohomish County in Western Washington. The town was active as a mining area for gold and silver from 1889 to 1907.
Monte Cristo was the first live mining camp on the west slopes of the Cascade Range. There were 13 mines and 40 claims by 1891. By 1893 there were 211 mining claims. The boom required money from the eastern United States to continue to grow. In 1891 John D. Rockefeller became interested in Monte Cristo. His syndicate, Colby and Hoyt, took over the primary mines, including the Pride and Mystery mines. The Willman's brothers were paid $470,000. Rockefeller's companies acquired a controlling two-thirds interest in the best properties. Frederick Trump, grandfather of former U.S. President Donald Trump, was also active in the town; he operated a boom-town hotel and alleged brothel.
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WARNING
Abandoned mines and ruined structures have many hazards and can severely injure or even kill you. Do not attempt to copy or re-enact situations or scenarios seen in this video.

[@bobwarner9952]

As a teenager, in the early 70s, 2 of my friends and myself would camp out in this area several times. Explored the mines and would hike up the mountains lakes in the area. Brings back great memories .

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@user-xl4zf5bk6c]

My first date was hiking up there in 1974. Too scared to go very far into the mine but married the guy😅

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

@@user-xl4zf5bk6c Very cool!

[@EngineerSaysWhat]

I grew up visiting Monte Cristo with my Dad back in the late 70's early 80's. I remember the General Store before it burned. I returned in 2010 and camped for 3 nights. We visited at least 5 or 6 of the old mines including going up to and over the Mystery Mine complex. Thanks for putting this video together. It really brings back fond memories! If people are interested, there is a wonderful book by Elof Norman about growing up in Monte Cristo called "The Coffee Chased Us Up".

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Great memories. Thanks for sharing. We appreciate it.

[@tomgray3804]

It's understandable why you cut, or speed through you walking through areas you deem "ordinary". But as a hiker in the east part of the country it is neat to watch you walk through those areas because the plants and trees look different. I am sure the trees are a similar species, but they still look vastly different. Lots of ferns also that we don't have. Cool video.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It is tough as you will get the exact opposite point of view a lot of the time so we try to find something that works for everyone but given the subject matter of the video is about history, we try to get to the highlights. Very much appreciate the feedback, and thank you for watching.

[@ihatedietcola7920]

This is one of my favorite hikes.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It's a great hike and place to explore, no doubt.

[@gregrobertson2726]

Loved most of my life in the region. Thought of going there many times but… 72 yoa now and not likely making the long hike (I go nowhere without my dog and she’s a liability in the wild). So thanks for bringing it to me. Excellent work incidentally!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Appreciate your comments very much. Glad we were able to share this with you.

[@normanmallory2055]

In the mid 70’s was my first trip into the site and over the years I made a few more trips ! Good video and good coverage!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you. Appreciate your comments.

[@johnwinden8511]

Thanks for the tour. My wife and I went up there (walked the road was gated) many years ago. At that time there were still people living there. I remember hearing that pelton wheel in the power house howling before we even got to it. You were able to peak inside and see the workings at that time. We went back several years ago, prior to remediation. At that time the powerhouse was no longer operating and no one was there. Quite a few changes, and if we were to go back now even more has changed. Sad

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you for watching and sharing your memories!!

[@xspaceghostxx]

That's a pretty cool hike! I made that hike with my girlfriend and our daughter some time back. There were a few washouts on the old roadway but it was a good walk. Hard to believe that you were able to literally drive to within a few feet of the town site. Lol would have saved hours of the day if you could still drive it. If you like mining history it's definitely eorth the hike. The buildings are well deteriorated which is unfortunate but is still vool to see the extremes them old fools went to for some ore

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Yes, it would be nice to be able to drive closer. Appreciate the comments. Thanks.

[@joshuasjericho3915]

France 🇫🇷 The Count of Monte Cristo 🤣! Great job! I was expecting more of s town so disappointed that it's mostly just signs where buildings use to be! So if anyone else is excepting a "town" it's no longer there folks 😕! #montecristo #USA 🇺🇸 #Washington state

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Yes, unfortunately, there is not much left outside of the mines and mill site. Appreciate your comment.

[@enndee989]

Worse than deceptive advertising, they sell some notion of what used to be, better go sell your soul or other phantom parts of some unsuspecting person or thing. But nobody cares, people like to be fooled, so whatever does the job, and it's always shiny bells and whistles, not anything in natural colors, creativity and design. Destruction is what you get with all that public money going where conservatives want to see it - bells and whistles, fancy accomodations, air conditioning and customer service that makes them right at home in the parks financed by their taxpayer money. And the tourists that flock to these unholy sites just quicken the destruction, a continuation of that self-destructive gold rush. So that's your history, and its moral - all a sick, evil lie, big fat nothing, "everything is vanity and vanity of vanities " as your pastor calls you.

[@rrice1705]

Believe it or not, the town was named for the semi-fictionalized version of Monte Cristo that appears in Alexandre Dumas' novel!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

@@rrice1705 Thanks for sharing that.

[@Ayaois]

Completed this hike for the first time last August. It is absolutely beautiful, and I love seeing more historical context. Plan to do it again this year.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It's a great place very special us. We appreciate your comments and thank you for watching.

[@tonyf.8858]

No more road to the townsite??? Wow. The last time I was there, there was a paved road that came to an abrupt end and continued in gravel. If you weren't paying attention you could find yourself on that gravel road doing 50 mph. The gravel road was in perfect shape and you could go about 30 mph on it safely. There were a number of buildings at the townsite that I didn't see in the video and I'm pretty sure there was some kind of business that had something to do with rentals, I think. This was at the very end, where you could look up at a tall mountain peek. The trail head started at this parking area and the trail would lead you to a number of mines that you could enter and explore, although I didn't. Claustrophobic. Too bad about the road situation. This was in the early 1960's. Great video, although I'm saddened that I'll never get to go back. I'm 94 now.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Appreciate you sharing your memories of the site. Yes, a lot has dramatically changed over the years. Thank you very much for watching and commenting.

[@groovyroses]

I remember my parents and I would drive into town back in 1970's and checked out the town and storefront and even tried some panning for gold. Then we did it again and took some friends of ours and we started hiking one of the trails from the town to one of the mines on a hill. Years later, we went back to Monte Christo but never made it to the town but we did enjoy our picnic by the river where you were crossing across the tree. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks for sharing your experience and for watching. We appreciate it.

[@xoxo.100]

I remember when the hotel burnt down. It was a big deal to anyone who spent summers camping in the area.

[@TotallyFlashy]

Thanks for providing so much historical context! I love this hike for all the interesting places along the way. So many great places to go from the trails up in this area.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It is a great area with so much history. Thank you for watching and your comments. We appreciate you!

[@kunya16]

I went here a few years ago and hope to go again this year. We missed so much! We didn't see even half of what you showed. Will take more time next time we go.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you for the comments. Hopefully, the video helped to make your next visit even better.

[@jamessutherland1911]

Awesome video really cool local history i enjoy this thanks.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you. we appreciate that.

[@123Goldhunter11]

I guess higher ups have decided not to keep up roads making it very difficult to reach places you used to be able to drive to. There are two beautiful high mountain lakes/Twin Lakes on a trail right out of Monte Cristo. It's a bit of a climb and about 5 miles. But now with the road allowed to deteriorate, it's a 10 mile hike - more than a lot of people want to do.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Yes, it is a very complicated area when it comes to access, jurisdiction, etc, but a great area nonetheless. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@intoxicatedwithfear8363]

I love this place and have ya ever had a Monti Cristo sandwich...so good...salutations to you and yours

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

We have absolutely agree. Thanks for the comments and watching appreciate it.

[@Davidbirdman101]

I see these little towns all the time where I live. I'm 68, I grew up in a small town in Mississippi. You could literally leave your door unlocked. I didn't even have a house key when I was going to elementary school. I walked 5 blocks to school, it was a ten minute walk to the Carnegie library. I went by myself at 6 years old. You can't do that anymore. I still live in the same town but it has changed forever. Ten people have been murdered here since January. Ten. Dead. The worst thing is, it's normal now. Nobody cares. Small towns in a small world. I remember back in the 60s we thought progress would make the world a better place. No. Progress is killing us.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

A bygone time. Thanks for watching and comments.

[@danhilton2461]

First timers, live in Muskegon Michigan. Really enjoy these types of exploring videos, please keep them coming

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you very much. We very much appreciate having you along on our adventures!!

[@davidpattullo4881]

Wow I visited Monte Cristo around 1978-79 when you could drive there. I believe the preservation society was just being forming. If I remember correctly, we paid a $5 donation for the tour, our guide had tons of interesting historical facts to share. Thanks for taking us there, a walk down memory lane for me! I recognize some of the sights and rest are distorted memories.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

We have been going for about 12 years now, and the area is constantly changing. Glad we were able to share it with you. Thank you for the comments and watching.

[@jasonbabila6006]

I’m really interested with the railway right of way along the river when the NP encased the railroad ties in concrete to keep the track from washing away from the floods.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Yes, very interesting stuff for sure. Do not have a whole lot of information on that.

[@MrMscotth]

We went there 20 years ago. It was cool then. I'd like to see it now but I'm a bit afraid of parking at the trailhead. Ugh...

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Yeah, it can be a concern, but from our experience. It hasn't been too bad.

[@gregsmith7428]

When I was a kid in the 60's the family went to Monte Cristo. There was plenty to see and you could drive right up. Leave it to the moronic forest misservice to let the access road ruin and not repair the buildings that have fallen apart. I'm now 74 and disabled and can no longer hike that obstacle course of a trail that goes to the site. Back in the day it was a fun place for families, but now a POS!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you for your comments.

[@triple_A_rockhound]

Monte Cristo sure has interesting history

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It most certainly does.

[@triple_A_rockhound]

I can see y theres so many gold claims @@ghosttownsandminesofwashington

[@donnieanderson2009]

What a privilege it is to live in such a beautiful state. Definitely God's country

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It is indeed. Thank you!

[@arisaka9963]

State is pretty. Politicians are terrible.

[@perrycnn]

Disney gave a copyright notice to someone playing an Indiana Jones videogame. The strike was from the use of the IJ font in their thumbnails, just a heads up.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Interesting this style and color scheme font is available through a well-known and widely respected video editing youtube focused software company.

[@bretthawton]

I see a lot of cars in old picture of the Monte Cristo Lodge- How did they get there?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

The bridges and road were drivable up until the early 2000s.

[@_Fritz_]

I was up here last summer with a summer camp, got a nasty ear infection and had to hike down in crocs

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

That is unfortunate. That doesn't sound pleasant.

[@stevewoods293]

Nice

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks

[@Enonymouse_]

Havent visited since i was a kid (long ago now).

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It has no doubt changed tremendously. Thanks for the comments.

[@bretthuckaby9745]

What was the population of this town?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

At its peak in the 1890's about 2000.

[@jasonking6510]

Can you bring a metal detector up there? I’m sure you can find some interesting treasures

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Short answer no. Its Forest Service and some areas are designated wilderness.

[@jasonking6510]

@@ghosttownsandminesofwashington bummer just think of the old coins you could possibly find up there.

[@jasonking6510]

@@ghosttownsandminesofwashington thank you for the cool history lesson I live in the area and Monte Cristo’s always been captivating my attention.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

@jasonking6510 Thank you appreciate your comments.

[@joshuabrooks4907]

Can you imagine being the guy that had to spin that turntable, with a locomotive on it, back in the day? Talk about one strong son of a bitch.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

No doubt... Thanks for the comment.

[@joshuabrooks4907]

@@ghosttownsandminesofwashington you're welcome. Thanks for the video.

[@kennethhummel4409]

What’s in the Keys memorial?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_E._KYES,_CDR,_USN

[@erberIsSillyhawk]

i went out here a couple years ago had no idea there were mines.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Quite a few in the area.

[@jeffkyle6207]

Has anyone ever found the graveyard?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

There was not one at Monte Cristo.

[@tinadelwiche416]

I bet that area is haunted

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

You never know.

[@user-st1jc3bq1j]

Donald Trump's grandfather lived in Monte Cristo.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

He owned property and establishments.

[@charlescook4877]

Most people stop on the bridges and look at the rivers or creeks. You fast-forwarded through those good parts and didn't even look at the water.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

We understand, and we hear the opposite position as well where people are not interested in trails and scenery. We do our best to provide a general perspective on the area. Thanks for the comments.

[@upnorthcountrygirl3127]

Can we see inside of cabins ?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

No, they are locked or private property.