I had a couple hours before dark on my way out to stay in Marblemount, parking next to Clear Creek was full (to Frog Lake) so I headed here.  

3 miles beyond Beaver Lake TH on the R, there's a hand made sign indicating the Lookout Tree is 1/4 mile.  Past the Tree the trail continues, eventually reaching a channel of the Sauk River.

The water was alive with fish, big and smaller, Bald and other eagles overhead.  I walked gently across the channel, up the far bank and across again, and to the broken bridge over Beaver Lake.  I chatted with the folks on the other side, the only people I saw today.  Then back.

The North Cascades are lonely with the winter Highway closure, sign in Rockport said at "Ross Trail".  Off season rates at Glacier Peak Resort, plenty of low elevation hiking nearby, Marblemount is 400 feet.  They're serving Thanksgiving dinner, to-go only due to the recent no indoor dining rule, for $15 plus tip. 

Bring the "household" and spend the holiday in your own vacation cabin!  360-873-2250

Out of Darrington a bit over 2 miles past Beaver Lake TH on the R, signed.  This used to connect with Beaver Lake Trail before a slide knocked out the bridge.

Looking back in the Reports I mostly worked on this earlier this year, trail is in great shape.  I clipped some today, could almost walk as I worked, it was that good.  One little part before the river needed some time spent.

At the river I considered crossing and going over to the Beaver Lake Trail, as I have done before.  But I didn't have a towel and didn't want to have wet feet the rest of the day.

I heard something behind me, spawning salmon!  Hoping to get a picture I crossed the channel to get closer.  They must have seen me coming, swam out of sight before I could get a shot.

Now that my feet were wet I walked across the sandy bank and back over to the Beaver Lake Trail.  Channel on this side is only about knee deep, other one is less.  The trail is getting overgrown since not being used in a few years, I went to the broken bridge but didn't see anyone on the other side.  40 minutes back to my car.

First stop of the day I added some traction to the slippery log bridge on the Frog Lake Trail up the street.  

On this nice day I needed to return here to check my handiwork.  I cleared the Lookout Tree Trail last week, some from each end so didn't walk it all at once.

The Beaver Lake Trail has not been maintained yet this year, plenty of branches and trees down, some brush.  Likely it will only be taken care of to the broken bridge over Beaver Lake.

I started from the Lookout Tree end, 2.5 miles up the Mountain Loop from the Beaver Lake T.H..  Went barefoot across the river channel between the trails, found a log next to the river where I could sit and rinse my feet before putting my shoes back on.  I walked the road back to my car because I didn't want to take off my shoes again.

I looked more carefully at the broken bridge, it appears they did it right last time it was rebuilt 20 or so years ago.  There are metal footings across the Lake, should be able to be disassembled and reconstructed fairly easily.

In these economic tough times, wanted you all to know Navy Federal Credit Union still has a 17 month 2.25% CD which can be opened with as little as $50 and added to (max. $75,000) later. 

The past two days I spent about 10 hours fixing up the Lookout Tree trail.

Yesterday I parked at the Lookout Tree trailhead (signed), about 3 miles up the Mountain Loop from the Beaver Lake T.H..  Trail down to the Tree is pretty good already, most of the few visitors here stop there.  Almost immediately beyond, the brush closed in, and I got to work.

Tons of branches down, trail would have been hard to make out in places without the flags.  I tackled most of it, came back today to finish.

This morning they were grading the Mountain Loop at the end of the pavement (hooray!) so I parked at the Beaver Lake trailhead.  No other hikers. 

I had to slosh across the river channel between the trails, didn't take off my shoes, so had wet feet all day.  Less than knee deep, not too cold.  You could (and should) go barefoot comfortably across the channel, up the beach, and back across before putting your shoes back on - bring a towel.

There was a little left to do, about 3 hours.  Nice to be able to finish the work from the opposite end rather than having to pick up where I left off.  

The Lookout Tree trail is now the good way to access the Beaver Lake trail beyond the broken bridge.  These are both part of the same old logging railroad.  The 5 government trucks I saw here 3 days ago tells me there's a $100,000 fix in the works someday, but for a few hours of my time, now we have this again.

When I arrived at the Beaver Lake trailhead there were 5 government trucks in the parking lot, and no other hikers.  Good luck getting past the view- platform/ Trail End.  Plus I didn't have a Pass. 

So I started driving toward the Lookout Tree trailhead 3 miles farther up.  I ended up parking at White Chuck Viewpoint and walking to the T.H. due to snow on the road, turned out to be short-lived.

Trail is signed, drops to Lookout Tree, then gets very brushy and eventually connects to Beaver Lake trail.  River channel must be crossed twice to get past slide area.  First crossing about a foot deep, getting back about 2 feet.  I just pulled up my pant legs and sloshed across, super easy!

Look for yellow (used to be green) flags on bank indicating Beaver Lake trail. This part of the trail is getting worse with neglect. 

When I got to the trailhead the trucks were pulling out.  Outhouse is unlocked.  I walked the mile back to my car at White Chuck Overlook.  I will work on this one soon.