Awesome hike up to a former fire lookout site. Got to the trailhead at 10:30, only three cars parked along with a forest ranger’s Suburban. The first section of this trail is an old mining “road”. It is an ankle sprain waiting to happen. The foot bridge across the second crossing of Bear Creek was receiving some long needed TLC from a small group of people. They were doing a fantastic job – THANK YOU! After the bridge crossing you enter a grove of giant, old Hemlock’s. Incredible! Leaving the old trees and forest you enter a “bowl” which is typically over grown with bracken fern. Earlier in the year the ferns were cut back making the trip much safer as there are a number of holes in the trail that need to be avoided. Many thanks to the people who did this work! Also, take extra water because after you exit the forest there is very little shade and on this day it was extremely hot. The final climb to the summit is a series of switchback’s (counted 46) to the old lookout site. Near the top there are a few areas of nice, ripe blueberries. The views from the summit are excellent – Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak were visible along with the towers of downtown Seattle. Also visible are Mt. Si, Mt. Teneriffe and Mailbox Peak. Had the summit to myself and enjoyed my lunch. Heading back down after about five or ten minutes I spotted a beautiful Black Bear roaming thru the upper meadows about 100 yards off of the trail. Fantastic hike, great views. Elevation gain of 3250 feet, 8.6 miles round trip.

Coming from Northbend (I-90) the road is blocked by a crane. In order to get to the North Folk Rd just follow the detour signs. After the Y, talk a left and drive uphill and then 20 (!) miles on a dusty gravel road. So plan 1 hour from Northbend! The hike itself is straightforward, assuming you are not afraid of a trunk without handrail bridging the Lennox creek, of neckhigh fern and you don't get dizzy of 50+ switchbacks. The trail maintenance is not HQ, watch out for holes! The bug count is acceptable. Then on the summit, the efforts are rewarded by an amazing 360° view, highly preferable hike when sight conditions are good or better. And you may have a refreshing bath at the end of your hike in the basin of the creek.

The Bare Mountain meadow is getting quite overgrown again, even though it was hacked out quite wide last summer by WTA work parties. It's not bad, but prepare to get a little wet in the morning. Some parts of the Bear Basin cutoff route were very brushy, it gets better near the woods again. After the trail enters the woods and climbs a bit, just past the waterfall are the remains of a long-ago plane wreck. Someone has collected the parts and put them next to the trail. More parts are nearby at the site of the old mining camp. Once inside the basin, I followed the faint path through the woods towards the east wall. The next few hours were spent climbing up and down the talus and brush, wondering why I had no gloves and was wearing shorts. After lunching on the rocks up the slope, I finally did find Adit #4 which is in one of the main watercourses that flows down a slot on the east basin wall. No people were seen all day, but I did hear voices in the basin from time to time - no doubt ghostly calls from long-gone miners seeking their fortunes. Pictures soon at our website.

The Bare Mountain trailhead is located near the end of the North Fork Snoqualmie road, a long bumpy drive that takes almost an hour from North Bend. The first part of the Bare Mountain trail is built on a badly washed-out old roadbed, covered with annoying, ankle-twisting cobbles. After a moderate climb of a mile or so, the road/trail crosses rushing Bear Creek next to a lovely cascade and plunge pool. This spot would make a worthwile short hike destination. Beyond the waterfall, the trail continues a moderate climb to a second crossing of the creek, accomplished here via a picturesquely dilapidated old bridge. Beyond the bridge, the old road is left behind. A poorly maintained and eroded trail continues the climb into the hanging valley of Bear Creek. Deep forest is quickly left behind as the trail passes through a succession of meadows and brushy areas. These open areas offer scenic vistas of the Yosemite-like exfoliating granite cliffs on the south side of the valley, as well as the snow-covered walls of the cirque forming the headwaters of Bear Creek. Numerous waterfalls fed by snowmelt tumble down the cliffs. This stretch of trail in the Bear Creek Valley can be brushy, but WTA workparties got in here last year, so the trailside greenery is well under control, for now. Toward the head of the valley, the trail turns sharply, leaves the valley floor, and climbs the bare south-facing slope of aptly-named Bare Mountain in numerous well-graded switchbacks. This slope can be hot for hiking , but it also melts the snowpack early, making this trail good for early season outings. The views steadily improve as altitude is gained, with few trees to get in the way. There's no snow until the trail nearly reaches the ridgetop, where one lingering snowfield buries a few switchbacks. I had to scramble on snow straight up the fall line (gaining about 100 feet elevation)to locate the continuation of the trail. Once at the ridgeline, the trail's route is clear, although scattered snowbanks get in the way in spots. The trail follows the ridgecrest westerly, passing numerous false summits that will frustrate tired hikers. A final scramble up snow and heather-covered rocks brings one to the true summit of Bare Mountain, where a spectacular 360 degree view awaits. Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak, and Mt. Baker are all visible. The lookout that once topped the peak is long gone; there's only some wires and broken glass remaining. The total hike to Bare mountain is 8 miles with 3200' of elevation gain. Now is a great time to do this hike, with waterfalls running full and bug problems minimal.

Well with the latest low elevation snow storm we were able to drive within two miles of the trail head. We donned some snowshoes and began the slog through the heavy wet snow in the middle of a driving rain storm. The actual trail bed I can not tell you about, but the two feet of water logged slush on top of the trail was quite plesent. There were some small downed trees, and the stream crossing proves quite fun in snowshoes which grab he rock quite well. Enjoy the trail!