We did Thorp Mountain today opting for the shortest route of Knox Creek.

Getting to the trailhead requires a bit of navigating. the road (Knox Creek Rd) off French Cabin Cr Road is not on Google maps so we used a Green Trails map and Gaia to see where we had to go. When we got there they do have a good sign directing to the Knox Creek Trailhead. We got 1.5 miles up the road before hitting the bit that is badly eroded. We had a Jeep and a Crosstrek, the Jeep would have been fine but it looked a little close for the Crosstrek so we parked on the side of the road (after turning around to make sure we faced the right way to get out).

We walked about half a mile to get to the true trailhead. The road to the trailhead is snow-free, despite what the previous trip report says - there does appear to be snow on the road after the trailhead so it is possible the previous poster missed the trailhead. The trailhead would be easy to miss, the 'parking lot' just looks like a bit of a turn out off the road, there is a weathered sign but it's up a tree with a very small pink ribbon trying to draw your attention.

The switchbacks on the trail are in really great shape, it is a very narrow trail so when you need to pass people it is a little tricky. Flowers are starting to come out, with different parts of the mountain at different stages, we saw Lilies, trillium, paintbrush, lupine, bluebells and more! It does feel like it's still a little early and another week or so more will be blooming.

There was snow covering the trail just before the junction with the Kachess Ridge Trail, 1315. But this junction was clearly marked with signs. Following the Kachess Ridge Trail north, it was also snow covered so we checked our map often to make sure we were going the right way. Just before we reached the junction with the Thorp Mountain trail (which was again snow covered but well signposted) we had to maneuver around a tree that's bent over the trail.

The switchbacks up to the summit of Thorp Mountain were easy enough to follow with crossing some snow patches required. Poles were helpful for these snow patches because at times the slope made them quite steep.

The lookout on the summit seems in great condition and the views were 360! We had fun basking on a nice rock in the sun and trying to identify some of the peaks we could see around us.  

Tried to do this trail but we hit snow 0.5mi from the trailhead that was impassable.

First attempt of Thorp Mountain was via Thorp Creek, water was running very high and fast following wet weather. Opted out of fording the creek and backtracked down the road to the Knox Creek trailhead.

The road was becoming a waterfall close to the end so we parked and walked the extra half mile or so up the FS road. Snowline is around 4800' or lower at this point. Snow becoming mid-calf depth around 5000' and was quite windy at the top today.

Gear- waterproof layers and gloves, microspikes/traction, trekking poles

***LOOK OUT IS CLOSED AND LOCKED***

Headed up to Thorp Mtn Lookout via the French Cabin Basin TH off exit 70, turned out to be around 6 miles and 2300’ of vert. A solid Sunday hike, even though it rained on us. Hike has been on the list for a couple months but unfortunately we came a little too late, it’s fall for sure. Can’t wait to come up next summer and check out the lookout, looks very clean and new!

Stopped at Mtn High Burgers on the way home, best burgers and shakes around!!!

We were looking to escape to the east side of the mountains to get out of the rain and we settled on a hike in the Salmon La Sac area. The dirt road up to the trailhead was rough but passable until we encountered some serious deep ruts that I didn't want to chance in my Subaru Outback. We parked the car and hiked up the remaining half mile to the trailhead. The trail quickly climbs with a series of switchbacks. The vegetation is somewhat thick but the trail looks maintained. Hardy asters and some anemones are still blooming but fall is definitely on the way. The vine maples and the mountain ash are turning red and we had some stunning vegetative displays of reds, yellows and rust.  We made it up to the Thorp mountain lookout in a couple of hours. Unfortunately, there were lots of menacing clouds on the horizon that obscured our views of the surrounding mountains. It would be spectacular on a clear day. Nice views of Lake Kachess and Thorp Lake from the top and plenty of solitude: we didn't encounter anyone on the trail or the road.