This is a short, easy unmaintained trail. I continued passed the tree, but not very far before it got super overgrown and the path was hard to follow. The tree was uneventful. Lots of cool fungi.  It was a good stretch break after a long drive. 

Last trail of our fun weekend the pup, Ranger, and I had to go check out the Look Out Tree!  The tree itself was only about a half mile DOWN the trail-Very beautiful and we got the whole trail to ourselves!  I loved the history in this area!  In 2017 I’d been on the Beaver Pond trail from the other end and had stopped at the broken bridge, so this time we followed the trail North West to end at the same broken bridge at the Beaver Pond.  The broken bridge is super easy to cross, even for the dog, so we crossed the broken section to admire the whole Pond are and connect footprints: )  Beautiful little trail and pond.  It was great to finally finish the south section of the Beaver Pond trail and see the Lookout tree.  Perfect trail to round out our weekend of adventure!

With how cold it's been and all the recent low elevation snow, I was hoping these would be snow free - and they are!

I walked the Lookout Tree trail all the way to Beaver Lake.  Only my second time across the slide that cut this in two back in the 1980's, the new path is so nice.  I used to have to cross the river (and back) through here - no more wet feet!

At the truck, drove back to Clear Creek and the start of the Frog Lake Trail.  Needed a couple trees cut out and little else.  Nothing has leaves yet, so will get a little overgrown, bring your clippers and help out!

I notice the sign on the Mountain Loop indicating the turn to Peek-a-boo Lake TH has been removed.  Another one bites the dust!  The road was prone to problems, probably not worth the cost of fixing for the number of people that would visit when they could.  I guess that's on us for all going to the same few popular places, I should have gone when I had the chance.

This summer I was going to find and fix the old trail from Goodman Lake to North Lake, I'll have to do it from the other end.  As recently as the 1950's North Lake was not connected to the Independence Lake trail.

I did these heading out to stay in Marblemount.

Lookout Tree first, on the R at the red lettered sign 2+ miles past Beaver Lake TH.  Walked it out to the broken bridge over Beaver Lake and back.  Threw several rocks from the river into the muddy spot, dry feet now a possibility.

Second I drove to Sauk Prairie Road, parking between utility poles 21 and 22 on the L.  Took the trail to L at Y and a short distance to the Sauk River.  I just recently resurrected this trail and am tempted to come down every time I pass by, awesome and so easy to get to.

Checked in at Glacier Peak Resort, headed to Conrad Road just a couple miles back and up Old Sauk Mountain.  Took but didn't need to use the rake, bushes creep into the trail beyond the Barr Creek Conservation Area.  I didn't get there but someone wrote in the register on the 23rd snow started at 2600'.

I tidied all these up today and am happy to report they are now ready for your visit!

First order of the day was to rejoin Lookout Tree and Beaver Lake trails.  Long story short, someone already did!  Started from Lookout Tree TH, went all the way to the broken bridge over Beaver Lake and back.

That didn't take long, drove up the road to Frog Lake Trail.  Mostly good with 3 places you might have turned around, did some serious sawing.  Muddy in places this time of year.

Had time left to look for Darrington Old Growth Reserve trail across from the parking.  Still could not find.  Took the main trail to the Y, L on Sauk River Bar Trail, out to the river.  Expansive views in all directions.  Back to the Y I took the other fork to small parking area and gravel road. Trail continues to next driveway which I walked out to Sauk Prairie Road back to the truck.

These are all right by each other so easy to make a day of.  I didn't see anyone but there were people at the normal trails.  Lookout Tree is 2.3 miles past Beaver Lake TH (bathroom), on R.  Frog Lake TH is on the Darrington side of Clear Creek, paved pullout.  DOG is on Sauk Prairie Road, between utility poles 21 and 22, parking for a couple cars on L.