Bare Mountain — Saturday, Sep. 27, 2003

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

Awesome hike up to a former fire lookout site. Got to the trailhead at 10:30, only three cars parked along with a forest ranger’s Suburban. The first section of this trail is an old mining “road”. It is an ankle sprain waiting to happen. The foot bridge across the second crossing of Bear Creek was receiving some long needed TLC from a small group of people. They were doing a fantastic job – THANK YOU! After the bridge crossing you enter a grove of giant, old Hemlock’s. Incredible! Leaving the old trees and forest you enter a “bowl” which is typically over grown with bracken fern. Earlier in the year the ferns were cut back making the trip much safer as there are a number of holes in the trail that need to be avoided. Many thanks to the people who did this work! Also, take extra water because after you exit the forest there is very little shade and on this day it was extremely hot. The final climb to the summit is a series of switchback’s (counted 46) to the old lookout site. Near the top there are a few areas of nice, ripe blueberries. The views from the summit are excellent – Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak were visible along with the towers of downtown Seattle. Also visible are Mt. Si, Mt. Teneriffe and Mailbox Peak. Had the summit to myself and enjoyed my lunch. Heading back down after about five or ten minutes I spotted a beautiful Black Bear roaming thru the upper meadows about 100 yards off of the trail. Fantastic hike, great views. Elevation gain of 3250 feet, 8.6 miles round trip.