Joined the venerable Alan L. Bauer, the essential and other-worldly rubberlegs, a happy MtnMike and stunning Putz-in-Boots to Thorp Mtn. It was Alan's fault we got such a late start, but he's bigger than all of us, so we had to put up with him. Hot in summer, this is a supreme place in fall. The fall color is still gorgeous against the silvery-green lichen covered blobby batholithic formations (I mean the rocks, not Alan, rubberlegs, etc.). It rained long enough for us to don our raingear. The rain created beautiful sweeping streaks that shimmered in the half-sunshine in the valley. Views of the lower half of the snowy Stuart range all around, and rainbows glided across the lower, forested mountains. This is a very worthy trail, it is steep in places up to the lovely ridge I love ridge walks), but nothing scary. Because of its Hungry Hikers award designation by WTA, we ate at Village Pizza in Roslyn. Thumbs up from everyone. The place has great Hallowe'en decorations.

I couldn't get any takers on the trip I wanted to do so. Rubberlegs suggested I tag along on his trip with the amiable Alan Bauer so I jumped at the chance. Before I knew it, Mike and Kim were also coming along. I knew the day would be full of good company. We met at the Preston P&R at 11:00am because one of the party members had a ""honey-do"" to do. So after a bit of a late start we headed out toward CleElum. The road to the TH is in good shape except for one tree down across the road about 1/4 mile from the TH. No problem though...most cars should be able to drive around and over the debris. For an ""easy"" trip this trail doesn't waste any time. It immediately starts out in a series of switchbacks climbing the 1.25 miles to the top of the ridge and gaining over 1000 feet in elevation. The trail is in good shape. Once hitting the top of the ridge we headed right (north) toward Thorp Mtn. This is a beautiful ridge walk. We hit a tad bit of weather once reaching the ridge. It was hard to find a good combination of clothing. It was windy, spitting rain, and yet kinda warm and kinda cold. At one point Alan said he never saw so many changes in clothing. We ran the ridge from this junction the 1+ miles out to the ""summit"". At the summit there is a great old lookout complete with radio antenae and solar panel. It was such a reward to visit with the lookout since so many of them have been removed. Whenever I visit a lookout I imagine what it's history must have been like. We didn't stay too long here. Just long enough for Alan to take a few pictures, for our group to get a bite to eat, and long enough for rubberlegs and MtnMike to discover two priveys (one abandoned, one new). We eventually left the lookout site and headed back down the ridge to the trail junction. From here Kim, Mike, and Alan took a leisurely hike back down the the car. Rubberlegs and I darted off toward S. Thorp. The trail continues on the ridge and then contours along the east side of a bumb just before reaching a saddle about 1 miles from the Knox Ck junction. From this saddle we did a rising traverse up the hillside and reached the top of the bump labeled 5841' on the USGS. We peered over at the bumb due east of us and scratched our heads wondering if it was the taller of the two bumbs. Our bumb had a cairn. Just in case...lest anyone dare to say we summited the wrong bumb...we dropped down the the saddle between the two and then tagged that other bump. We told the other group members that we would be about 45 minutes behind them. So, rubberlegs and I ran - yes ran - down the trail and down the switchbacks and reached the trailhead about 25 minutes after the others. Great trip. Good company. Stats: 6-7 miles, 3400' gain

A beautiful hike on a great Saturday. The last 2 miles of road to Knox Creek is narrow and not well maintained but my Taurus had no problems getting to the trail head. Knox Creek is moderately steep trail that took about 50 minutes to go up. Once on the ridge crest the Kachess Ridge trail is fairly level going up and down to the junction in about one mile with the Thorp Mt. Look Out Trail. Throp Mt. tail winds up to the top in a series of switch backs as views open up of Rainer, Mt. Stuart and the Snoqualmie Pass area. The lookout site is occupied by a friendly forest service employee and his dog ""Teddy"". It took about 2 hours to reach the look out from the trail head. After some photos and a snack I headed down. The trip back to the car took about 1 hour. There was a large group of Mountaineers? on the summit but I hiked most of the trip in solitude getting the trail head at about 10:00 AM. This is a relatively easy view hike with friendly natives at the end. I even got to sign the guest book at the look out. Recent rain fall was evident on a damp (not dusty) trail.

Invited my friend Amy to join me to check out Thorp Mtn. Lookout via Knox Creek trail as a possible Mountaineer hike. We left Tacoma at 7 a.m. and I underestimated the time it would take to get to the trailhead. Hey, it's outside of Roslyn, off I-90...should be a 2 hour drive. WRONG. Once we exited I-90 it was another hour before we Passed the trailhead. Yes, we passed the trailhead by 1/4 mile because the trailhead sign is behind a bush. However, we found a scenic potty stop. I heard a vehicle coming of the road and later saw a red truck down below. It stopped. hmmm? Could they be a trailhead? Then we saw them start hiking up a trail? Geez whiz batman, we've missed the trailhead. So down we drove and there was the sign to Knox Creek Trail. We started to hike at 10 a.m. Up, Up and away. It was already HOT! The trail has a little bit of exposure and loose gravel and may not be a good choice for my beginner hikers, but great for my hiking buddies. It took Amy and I, the slow hikers we are, 1 hour to get to the Thorp Mtn. Junction at 1 1/4 mile. Yup, We Be Slow. That was one of the longest mile I've ever hiked. But the views were incredible. Mt. Stuart, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams stood out as majestic as ever. Amy joked that there really wasn't a lookout because we couldn't see it from the trail. Just after the Thorp Mtn. junction we had a peek-a-boo view of the lookout so I knew it existed (or was it a mirage from the heat). Did I mention it was HOT??? And we could see boaters on Lake Kachess in joying the water. Thank goodness I brought three litters of water. It was HOT! We arrived at the lookout at noon exactly 2 hours later. It was incredible up top. Amy and I spent a leisurely 1 1/4 hours having lunch, chatting and enjoying the views, the breeze and sun. The look out is manned by a young student. There is a potty up top, but as Amy put it...there were a lot of big flies coming up out of there and it didn't seem like it would be a fun experience. We packed up and headed down at 1:17 and arrived at the car at 2:40. Glad I brought my poles. The bottom half of the trail is steep and has loose rocks in places. We stopped at the Roslyn Bakery for a pottly stop and purchased some bread. There is a cafe attached, but the young gal at the bakery said it wouldn't be open for another month. Arrived back in Tacoma at 6 p.m. Great hike!

Road was compact snow from the Knox Creek turnoff to the trailhead, but wasn't a problem with 4x4. Lower part of road is more intimidating then further up where the sun has melted most of the snow. Followed the Knox Creek trail to the first intersection on the ridge top, then turned right and followed the trail to the Lookout. Be sure to stay left at an intersection where the trail heading right slopes downward (maybe heading towards Thorpe Lake?). South facing areas and meadows are snow free, but shady areas are snow and/or icy. But definitely still hikable. Views are endless at the lookout, only two other people were there, and only a slight breeze with warmth in the sheltered areas.