Heybrook Ridge, Heybrook Lookout — Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

Great day for a hike!  I hiked up to the ridge and then up the powerline trail to where you can catch the Heybrook Lookout trail.  Went early today so I could make sure I'm home in time to watch the Seahawks destroy the Niners!

Drive Slow:  Trailhead is right off a regular road going to Index, but there's a point in that road where it tells you to slow down to 15mph.  Do it.  Lots of black ice when I came down it at 9am - fortunately I'm an experienced winter driver so I didn't end up in the ditch.

Parking lot:  Maybe 14 cars when I arrived, 20 when I left, still plenty of room  Very rutted parking lot.  The area around there was literally the only place on the entire route that had any snow/frost.

Heybrook Ridge Trail:  This is a well-maintained, popular trail that's not lengthy and has tons of switchbacks so it never gets too steep.  Only a couple of trees over the trail, one of which has been recently chainsawed to clear it out judging from the detritus.  Many thanks to trail volunteers!  

Extending your hike to the Heybrook Lookout:  It's 1.66 miles to the Ridge viewpoint.  I'd say 95% of people leave it at that and it's a gorgeous view, but I really enjoyed the extra hike to the Lookout so if you've got an extra 90 minutes-2 hours, try it.  It's about 1.3 miles from the ridge viewpoint, and not difficult at all.

After taking a break with the gorgeous ridge view, head up the hill and under the enormous electrical pylon.  Bzzz Bzzz.  It's somewhat weird to hike hearing the electricity, so if you're sensitive to that, this might not be for you.  You will follow the trail past 6 pylons.  The trail is clear, a bit overgrown after maybe the 3rd pylon but totally doable and clear.  Just after the 6th one, the trail veers off the the right into the forest, and you'll go downhill until you reach the Heybrook Lookout trail.  Notice the nice bald white tree snag to remind you where to catch the trail on the way back!

After you get to that trail it's maybe .3 miles to the top, then you can walk up the stairs to the viewing platform for terrific views.  The round trip was 6 miles, 1278 vertical.

Canyon Falls:  Don't want to go all the way to the Lookout?  Just after pylon #2, look to the right.  There's a short trail to a viewpoint of Canyon Falls - totally worth it!

Also . . . . .  GO HAWKS!!!   Posting this before the game starts :-)