Blue Creek

This hiker-only trail is a great early-season hike, when you can't yet drive to Red Top Lookout. The trail starts steep and stays steep. 

Climb to a side ridge coming off Teanaway Ridge, then ascend this ridge to the main ridge. The forest is pleasant Ponderosa pine interspersed with small meadows.  Wildflowers are abundant in season. You never come close to Blue Creek itself, though there is a seasonal spring next to the trail near the top. 

After 1.6 miles, reach a four-way junction. To the right, the Teanaway Ridge trail leads to agate beds. A hard left turn takes you on a lower trail below Red Top Lookout, about half a mile to a road and trailhead. A softer left leads uphill on a thrilling bit of trail, through cliffs above the treeline, 0.2 mile to Red Top Lookout. Excellent views abound, north to the Stuart Range, east to Table Mountain, southwest into the Teanaway River Valley. If you've come early in the season, congratulate yourself on making a nearly snow-free ascent to a high viewpoint while all the other nearby mountains are still covered in snow.

You can make a small loop near the top by continuing south on the lookout trail to a junction with the lower trail, then turning left back to the first junction.  There is an outhouse near the lookout.