Follow a babbling brook through forests of pine and fields of dazzling wildflowers to a long-gone lookout site where the viewing still reigns supreme. Gaze out at beautiful landscapes near and far-from verdant lawns spread out directly below, to the glistening ice of Glacier Peak, to the sun-baked wheat fields of the Waterville Plateau. Heavenly? Yes. But only before the motors arrive or during the week, when chances are slim that one will come sputtering by.

While the Jimmy Creek Trail is one of the least traveled paths in the Mad River country, it is nevertheless still legally open to motorcycles. The Forest Service has yet to "upgrade" it to a motorway. Good. However, since it is still open to dirt bikes, the few that do venture on it tear it up-and travel through fragile meadows to bypass windfall. Bad! How about demanding that the Forest Service at least close this trail to motorbikes-while we keep up the fight to get the southern Entiat Mountains into wilderness, where they rightfully belong.

Start by following the well-traveled Mad River Trail. At 1.2 miles pass a junction with the Hi Yu Trail. Continue straight another 0.1 mile, crossing the Mad River. Just before reaching an open talus area, turn right onto the unsigned and easy-to-miss Jimmy Creek Trail.

On good but lightly trampled tread, steadily climb, following Jimmy Creek through pine and fir forest that's fragrantly scented with wild blossoms by early summer. After about a mile or so, pocket meadows add to the blooming mix. Continue climbing through thinning forest and emerging lush meadows, crossing Jimmy Creek at 3.5 miles. The trail now turns steep, transforming into a deep rocky gully thanks to motorcycle use (still any doubts about what kind of impact this form of recreation has on fragile pumice soils?).

At 3.9 miles reach a junction (elev. 6150 ft). The trail left is officially abandoned, but has been "reopened" by dirt bikes. It terminates on the Mad River Trail near the Lost Lake Trail junction. Head right, traversing fields of blooms and reaching another junction after 0.3 mile (elev. 6250 ft). Turn left to follow the Cougar Ridge Trail through more meadows and along the demarcation between burned and unburned forest from the Tyee conflagration of 1994. In no time, reach yet another junction. Head left on this spur trail to Cougar's summit.

Reconstructed for motorcycles, this path is twice as long (thanks to the banked-for-bikes switchbacks), twice as dusty, and not nearly as nice as the old summit path (which can still be followed if you snoop around for it).

At 5 miles reach the open summit of Cougar Mountain and behold the beauty of the Entiat Mountains before you. Emerald Cougar Meadow lies directly below, and Kelly and Klone mountains rise gently behind it. Amazing beauty-and a crying shame the Forest Service allows it to be disturbed by throttles. This area was one of Ira Spring's favorites in the Cascades. Mine too. An Ira Spring Wilderness would protect it and would be a fitting tribute to the late conservationist and guidebook author.