East Creek — Monday, May. 19, 2025

Time to check out one of my favorite trails that gets very little use.  The heavy rains of the previous weekend were predicted to lesson as the day wore on.  It rained heavily on my drive from Seattle .  At the trailhead the rain started to lesson.  Thankfully I had my raincoat.

I followed the trail down to the missing bridge over Granite Creek.  Then headed upstream (southerly) on the obvious fisherman's trail to the log crossing of Granite Creek.  The log was a little wet so I walked across it very slowly (unofficial crossing, use at your own risk).

After crossing the log, head uphill to intersect the actual trail.  Turn right and the elevation gain starts.  There are 21 switchbacks as the trail ascends this west-facing slope.  With the clouds around, and being early in the season, it was a pleasant hike and I did not get all hot and sweaty like I would later in the summer.  At the top of the switchbacks the trail curves east and heads into the deep forest along a north facing slope, with East Creek roaring down below in a canyon.  The trail ascends slowly over the next section, and eventually meets East Creek.

After hiking 2.5 miles I arrived at the trail crossing of East Creek.  But first I ate lunch and rested.

After lunch, when I descended to the log crossing over East Creek I noticed it was wet from the rain and the heavy spring snowmelt.  Being super cautious I said to myself, "Not today, come back later when the weather is drier."

The trail was in great shape.  There were only about three logs across the trail to step over.

So back to the trailhead I went.  On the way back I noticed some pretty blue flowers in a former burn area.  See photo. I'm not a flower expert, so I do not know the name of this flowering plant.