DO NOT USE GOOGLE OR APPLE MAPS TO NAVIGATE HERE! Follow the WTA directions by making a left onto Forest Service Road 9738 just after the Mineral Creek Campground. If you go the other way, you will be blocked by the infamous yellow gate. The 9738 forest road up to the trailhead is long, bumpy, rocky, and littered with potholes and washboards. But we saw low-clearance compacts and sedans at the trailhead, so as long as you take it slow and steady, you should be fine.
We chose to hike this short, steep, and sweet trail because we had heard that after a long 5 years of closure, the lookout would finally be open today! Big shout outs to the WTA and Forest Service crew who were there to make a few overdue repairs and upgrades to the structure and toilet! We got to the trailhead around 1 PM, and though the parking lot was still quite full, at least a couple of spaces were available.
The hike up, though a quick one, was dry and dusty, and it was very windy at the top. From the lookout, you can see a sliver of the top of Mount Adams, as well as the majestic ranges of the Cascades. On the way back, based on the suggestion of the WTA crew leader, we hiked a little ways down the Blue Creek Trail to see the remains of the log cabin that once stood next to the spring that used to be the water source for the occupants of the lookout. Through the forested parts of the trail, we saw a Western Tanager, and heard Pine Siskins, Swainson's Thrushes, and Western Wood Pewees. We then hiked the Teanaway Ridge Trail back to the parking lot. We saw at least one tent, one hammock, and a truck camper in the lot.
The 360 views and the well-maintained fire lookout are enough to ensure that this hike is on your list for this summer!
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