East Creek — Tuesday, Jul. 28, 2020

This has got to be the only Lookout in the Cascades that you can have to yourself on the hottest 3 days of the summer!  Last Report for Hidden Lake there were 6 people staying overnight, Park Butte at least 2, no one is getting to Winchester Mountain or Three Fingers yet.

8 hours in including an hour of sawing out Alder.  Despite not carrying a tent, I was exhausted at the Pass, still with 500 gain to go!  I had no choice but to make it to the top.  After a good rest and snow collection, I moved the furniture (HA!) around to maximize the space, hung my High Route maps on the wall, pulled out the Log Book I bought.

I brought my face mask just in case someone else might have wanted to stay, hard to socially distance in a 10 by 10 space.  I don't know how people at the other L.O.s are doing it, sure to lead to some awkward moments.  Perhaps if we sleep head to toe, with masks on, faces more than 6 feet apart... No one came, I went to bed early.

Good drinking water is well spaced on this trail.  There is one patch of snow left at the Lookout, might last a week.  Best be safe and bring your water up from 2 streams close together that join below the trail, est. 6100'.  Be sure and fill up, 3-4 liters per person should be enough for an overnight.  If you have to get more mid trip it's probably an hour and a half down and back.

Next morning I spent a couple hours clipping out the trail between the Pass and the Lookout, rested, ate, napped.  I hung the thermometer I bought at Darrington Do It Best, got up to 84 inside with the door open, never went below 60. 

This morning on the way down I clipped out to the water, and below.  Trail is not perfect but a heck of a lot better than it was just a week ago.  Look for flags where path is still overgrown, indistinct meadow crossings are marked on either side.  2nd and 3rd crossings of East Creek are no longer confusing, just be sure and pay attention on the way in.

Mosquitoes are bad at the top with the warmer weather.  As long as you stay in the nearly constant wind, you're not bothered.  A bug net hut would be good for inside, hang from the ceiling.  Even with the door closed, bugs can get through the cracks.

Check the Forest Service registration at the T.H. before heading up to see if anyone else is staying.  Scan the parking lot, signing in is voluntary and not everyone does it.  If space is in doubt bring a tent, 3 or 4 can sleep on the floor currently,  there is construction material taking up about a third of the room.

After you stay (or before), consider donating to Friends of Mebee Pass Lookout at www.stephabegg.com, inquire at mebeepasslookout@gmail.net.