Cooler temps and plenty of precipitation didn't dampen the spirits of a dozen or so intrepid WTA volunteers. We worked on a variety of different projects throughout the day. One crew worked to haul some large rocks up from the river to build up a small cascade for a drain to help prevent further erosion and undercutting of the re-routed trail at the point where the river washed out a chunk of the trail a few years back. In addition to the rock retention of the new waterfall, we filled in an eroding drain next to it with rock and capped it with soil and some replanted ferns and finished off the section by lining the other side of the drain with a water bar. Hopefully all this will help reduce erosion at this point at least through the summer until even more significant fixes can be arranged. Other crews worked throughout the day on widening and cleaning tread, clearing out drains, some minor logout with the assistance of the Forest Service crew, and some early season brushing to get ahead of the onslaught of undergrowth coming with the summer. We got muddy, we got pretty wet, and we had a lot of fun.

Road to the trailhead is in great shape as it is on the paved part of Mountain Loop Highway. Crews were out with street sweepers cleaning gravel and dirt off the shoulders. The toilet at the trailhead is unlocked and well stocked with TP. Mosquitoes were becoming more noticeable and annoying, especially for the crew on the rock project as there was less opportunity to move around. There are some muddy parts of the trail and a few points with some minor obstacles including a large tree down over the trail that can be passed under without too much trouble.

As always the trail end where the bridge was taken out by small trees. Nice easy hike even with intermittent clouds an fog.

After my other nearby trip I headed here.  Took Beaver Lake trail to the broken bridge, carefully made my way across.  Where the trail is washed out, I started along the bank.  It became apparent getting across the slide would not be easy.

But the far bank of the river was nice and flat.  Since my feet were already wet, I made sure the water wasn't too deep and walked across- piece of cake!  Beyond the slide I located the trail and sloshed back over.

Much of the Lookout Tree Trail needs work, doesn't see many people past the Tree (from the other end).  Glad I had the flags that I left back in December to follow.  I'm only the second Report to do this in it's entirety,  been washed out since the 90's.

When I got to the Tree, I decided to make a loop out of it and went up to the Highway and back to the Beaver Lake trailhead.  Pretty boring section of road, would go back the way I came if doing it again.