Lookout Mountain Preserve - Camp 2 — Sunday, Mar. 25, 2018

Trip report in summary here, more details at the bottom:

• Trail: The trail is in good shape. Trace amounts of snow starting at about 1.0 miles in, the trail remains snow-free until about the 3.0 mile mark. When you leave the forest canopy at 3.5 miles, the snow deepens (6-12 inches, more in some places) for the rest of the trail. Additionally, there is significant amounts of mud throughout the hike (beginning at approximately 0.5 miles) except in places where the snow takes over.
• Bugs: Non-existent.
• Gear: Because of the prevalence of mud and snow, waterproof shoes should be considered mandatory at this point. Some people may find poles to be useful as well. Gators are also very helpful for the deeper snow that you encounter after leaving the forest canopy. Snowshoes are a little bit overkill, and crampons/spikes are entirely unnecessary.
• Other: The 8 mile figure for this trail takes you to a lookout spot with great views, not to the actual summit. If the actual summit is your destination, be prepared to tack on another 1.5 - 2.0 miles each way past the viewpoint.

More Details:

The trail begins up a maintenance road near Cain Lake. There is parking at the lake, but a Discover Pass is required and there are no other designated parking areas for this trail. After about a half mile, the road comes to a fork, take the right fork and the road becomes narrower and more closely resembles an actual trail. Follow this trail for the next 3 miles (approximately) as it climbs moderately (at times rather steeply) through the forest.

At 3.5 miles, you exit the denser forest canopy and find yourself on what appear to be a road again. Follow this road for approximately 0.5 miles to find a viewpoint with the most scenic views that you’ll see all day (180-degree views of Lake Whatcom and the valley below). From the viewpoint, look to your right and you will see a communication tower off in the distance. If the true summit is your goal, then that is your destination. If you’re simply up for the views, this viewpoint is the best spot to have a nice little picnic and then turn-around (the South Summit is surrounded by trees and has no views).

For peak baggers, say goodbye to the great views of Lake Whatcom and head down the road to the right. Over the next mile or so, you will encounter two forks in the road, stay to the right on each (despite the fact that the left roads go uphill and roads on the right go slightly downhill) until you reach an apparent dead end. If you go to the end of the road, a rough trail appears through some shrubs. Take this trail for about 0.2 miles until it rises suddenly to meet another access road. Take a left here and follow that road up to the South Summit. As you will realize, there are no views to be had, so put a checkmark in your book and turn around and go back the way you came.