East Creek — Monday, May. 31, 2021

There were no cars in the spacious lot at East Creek trailhead, Highway 20, between MP 144 and 145.  All the other THs along the road were crowded, but nothing compared to how it was when I came out.

The restroom is open but, the sign says, not being maintained.  No TP, and trash starting to overflow the small can.  What is with people?  You can see it is not being picked up, take it home!  If you have to, there are cans, at East Bank, Diablo Overlook, Colonial Campground, and others.

Rock hop and log crossing of Granite Creek is a breeze.  On the other side, trail intersects old one from the missing bridge, you don't go out of your way at all.

I was glad at the top of the switchbacks to not be heading up like yesterday.  Trail traverses to it's crossing of East Creek on a big log at about 2 miles.  There are a few new trees down from there to sign and trail up to Gold Hill Mine. 

Also 5 small creeks to cross/get water from after/not including East Creek.  I'm sure it is also safe to drink without treating.  None too near the Mine, get it before the junction.  There is also water a bit farter on the East Creek Trail.

The sign says Mebee Pass 4, Granite Creek 4,  Mine building is about 1/2 mile up, nice trail, big switchbacks.  There are exposed bits of old pipe buried, ala Monte Cristo.  This was a big deal back in the day, now a sweet spot to camp, with awesome views up valley, giant fire pit, nearby water.

It only took me 2 hours to walk the 4 1/2 miles in, I thought I might try to check out the mine.  I thought I remembered a sketchy trail across the slide area, but there was nothing today.  I could see the continuation about 200 feet across, looked good from there.  Not worth risking my life to attempt today, I will look in the mine book and see if it is worth trying to get to.

The trail to Boulder Creek Pass leaves mine "road" on the L about 50 feet from the building, I didn't go up today because I had seen that there is snow about the upper 500 feet elevation, look at the first picture in my Report from yesterday.
 
Back to the car in an hour and a half, trail is good except the blowdowns.  I threw some off the trail but left a few for you, I can't have all the fun.  Before you say "you had plenty of time to" like I sometimes do, I deserve a day off sometimes.  Now that I know, if you don't beat me to it, I will take care of next time.  I hope it's ok I say that.

This a fantastic hike that nobody knows about, maybe we can change that.  I only found the crucial log last summer, now I can't stay away.  It has been there since 2015 or 16 and is good as new.  The bridge that has been washed out for years was built in 1986.  Who knows if the money to rebuild it will ever be available, I wouldn't doubt it will cost $100,000.

As long as no one uses this trail, the number of hikers will never justify the cost, a real catch 22.  It never needs to be, the log is all hikers need.  Let them spend the big money on something else.

Driving out, the human population had exploded!  East Bank TH, Ross Dam TH, and especially Colonial Creek and Thunder Arm parking areas were nuts.  The Diablo Dam road/gate to must have been closed because there were probably 100 cars parked along the road.  Not sure where they were headed, if it was Diablo Lake Trail, which it would be, they have a long walk just to the start.

They should have come to East Creek, I would have welcomed the company.  I wouldn't doubt mine was the only Report from today where no other hikers were encountered.  You gotta love the North Cascades!