Highway 2 Early Season Sampler

An unexpected five day trip along Hwy 2 provided plenty of early season outings. The goal was to avoid the incoming rain and still have good day hikes and mountain views while car camping. Here’s some of what we found:

The staff at the Skykomish USFS office were very helpful and accurate in their information; a good place to check local conditions.

The road along the North Fork of the Skykomish River (behind the town of Index) is closed indefinitely. (Access this area via Beckler River Road possibly by July.) The river has now adopted a sizeable section of road for its new channel. It looks much worse than when it first happened this past winter.

Sunrise and Scorpion Mt Trailhead (via Beckler River Rd) is open. Trail had only patches of ridge top snow and lots of flowers, lovely old growth forests. Stay on forest trail and avoid cornices if still present.

Iron Goat Trail, upper section with Wellington Townsite and All-Concrete-Snowshed open. West portal not accessible due to massive cave-in induced flooding of tunnel with damage to approach trail and ramp. Walked the surreal 3 miles to Windy Point, connecting with our earlier outing on the lower section. Many concrete and even timber remnants of snowsheds, saw a spotted owl on trail.

Lanham Lake (via Stevens Pass Nordic Center). Lots of flowers, especially trillium. Nearly snowfree.

Alpine Lookout, Nason Ridge (via Butcher Creek Trailhead, aka. Round Mt Trailhead). Hiked short off-trail section to wooded Round Mt summit. Then followed Nason Ridge Trail to the rebuilt and functional Alpine Lookout (locked up but the views are open).

Wedge Mt is the imposing, pyramidal, dominant summit visible from downtown Leavenworth. DO NOT USE the approach via 400 Rd! Road and trail no longer exist! Find the new trail direct to ridge (7305? just east of Mill Creek). Shockingly sudden, awesome view into heart of Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Hike up through dry forest and burn areas, then in a heartbeat, a world of towering black rock, dazzling glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and turquoise lakes. How did that parasailer ever get back there? Short off-trail hike and optional rock scramble to true summit. (Note: USGS maps mislabel Wedge at the false summit.)