Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Heybrook Lookout
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Central Cascades,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. Quickly leave the busy highway behind and enter a cool, mossy forest of second growth. After angling east at an easy grade, the way reverses direction and steepens. Via a series of tight switchbacks the trail meanders upward under an emerald canopy. Pass by giant cedar stumps, evi-dence of past logging. Their blackened scars confirm that even moist forests like this one are subject to fire. Approach a series of boulders carpeted with moss. Swing east once again and crest the ridge, highway noise now replaced by thrush and wren song. In early season search the forest floor for signs of spring. A blooming trillium qualifies. Continue along the ridge on a gentler incline to eventually bust out of the forest on a ledge just below Heybrook's fire lookout. The views here are good, but they're far better from the top of the 67-foot lookout tower perched on the 1700-foot ridge. Ascend seven sets of stairs and behold a supreme view of the Skykomish Valley spread below you. First, gaze east toward Stevens Pass and ominous Baring Mountain. Then look west to the forks of the Skykomish-mighty good white water down there. Finally draw your attention south to the massive and awesome rock wall known as Mount Index. Snowfields perpetually cling to its precipitous crags. Bridal Veil Falls careens out of a cleft housing Lake Serene. The hike out is short so there's no need to return just yet. Hang around awhile and watch the evening sky cast a crimson hue on the impressive and imposing landmark Index. And don't forget to give thanks to the Everett Mountaineers for making all of this viewing possible. It was their idea and hard work that restored the 1964 lookout.
Driving Directions:
From Everett follow US 2 east for 37 miles (approximately 2 miles east of the steel bridge crossing the Skykomish River) to the trailhead (elev. 850 ft), located on the north side of the highway just after entering Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Recent Trip Reports
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Heybrook Lookout
— Feb 07, 2012
— Nathaniel
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Trail is wet in places- but nothing you can't hop over. The snow has cleared more since the last post...
Trail is wet in places- but nothing you can't hop over. The snow has cleared more since the last post that I read. There is some snow up at the lookout but fewer than 10 steps will be on snow unless you continue up the hill. There are a couple trees down but nothing serious- only one requires you to sit on it.
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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This trail offers great views for minimal effort. The trail is in good shape. It's mostly melted out,...
This trail offers great views for minimal effort. The trail is in good shape. It's mostly melted out, though it is a little slushy at the top. There were two blowdowns, but they're easy to navigate: one is a step-over and the other is easier to sit on and slide over. The trail is pretty well drained. There is a spot where water is running down the trail, but it wasn't very muddy there.
It gets quite windy at the top of the lookout tower, so it's worth bringing up some extra clothes if you want to spend significant amounts of time up there. Day hike
Issues:
Mudholes | Water on trail
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SO for My 30th B-day I thought I would try to grab a quick hike before work. Loaded up my...
SO for My 30th B-day I thought I would try to grab a quick hike before work. Loaded up my K9 pal Bandit (Husky) and headed for Heybrook Lookout figuring it would be a nice easy hike. The trail was a little muddy in a few spots at the start but the rest of the trail was in pretty good condition. We were also blessed with great weather at the top and got some good views in with the fog setting in the valley. Ran into one other person on the trail who also had his dog, A cute little mini Aussie mix pup. Got to stop and have a good conversation while the dogs got to say hi as well. All in All I would say it was a wonderful and a good hike!!!!
Heybrook Lookout
— Jan 01, 2012
— Jellis
Day hike
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Decided a nice short hike would be fun today. It was 3pm and we knew it would be dark...
Decided a nice short hike would be fun today. It was 3pm and we knew it would be dark by the time we got there so we brought flashlights. Got to the trail at 5pm and started up to the top with the moon lighting our way. Took 30 min to get to the top. It was amazing to be up there at night with the moon making the snow on the peaks glow. Very easy to find, directions were right on. Litte patches of snow at the top, not even enough to make a snowball. Trail had some mud the first 300 yards, then was dry to the top.
Day hike
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A friend mentioned hiking this one, and we jumped at the chance. Started out sunny at the bottom with...
A friend mentioned hiking this one, and we jumped at the chance. Started out sunny at the bottom with wet trail conditions but the trail dried out towards the top. Trail condition was good, thought it was slippery at places because of fallen wet leaves.
Overall a nice enjoyable day hike, a little on the short side, but still enjoyable. |
2011
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