Type of Hike
Day hikeTrail Conditions
Obstacles on trail:Trees down across trail,
Overgrown in places.
Road
Road recommended for high clearance onlyBugs
No bugsSnow
Snowfields to cross - could be difficult
What a day. This hike was hard to find even with two different sets of directions. The turnoff on FR41 is easy to miss, as mile marker 7 was non existent. The easist way to find the turn off is taking a left across from Old Robe Trail sign at the top of the hill at 7 miles in from the Lake
The bridge at 8 miles is appearantly not sound to cross according to the Forest Service and they do not recommend vehicles using this bridge in any manner. However, we did cross the bridge with no issues. The washout at mile 15 (2 miles before the trailhead) is pretty treachorous but any 4wd vehicle with 9+ inches of ground clearance should be ok. I crossed it in our 4Runner and i noticed another Subaru outback had crossed it when we got back to the trailhead after hiking. It is certainly a risk and there is a chance your car could get stuck, which would be worst case scenario considering the remote location. Know your car, know your limits and use good judgement.
The trailhead is extremly easy to miss and my only advice is to park your car right before the road narrows with excessive brush and tree branchs making the road les than 6 ft wide. When you reach this section, you’ll want to park your car in the wider grassy area at 17 miles in and look to your left for the trail head sign thats partially fallen over.
Once on the trail, it is overgrown and in need of some TLC. Dont expect to move as fast during the first 2.5 miles as you might otherwise. The trail is in bad shape and it certainly slowed us down.
The views from Goat Flats are spectacular and we enjoyed an awesome lunch just before the clouds rolled in and prevented us from going the rest of the way to the lookout. We will definitely be coming back though!
More photos here: https://tothetreeline.com/2016/08/22/three-fingers-lookout-almost/
Comments
The road is officially closed. Vandals have removed the boulders but that doesn't make the road any less closed. I'd hate for anyone to lose their car to the final washout of the bridge. Please respect official closures lest the FS be required to make it impossible for users to pass via foot or bicycle. Oh, and thanks for bathing in some of the only viable drinking water between the TH and the LO. (Yes, I'm feeling snarky. I've worked hard on the access to that LO as well as the LO itself and recent reports of it being trashed have me in a bit of a rage.)
Posted by:
GwenT on Aug 24, 2016 12:04 PM
I believe I stated the road is officially closed in my Trip Report, BUT, that we decided to cross it anyway. I too would hate for anyone to lose their car.
Is sitting in a creek against Leave no Trace principles? If so, I was unaware and will never do it again.
I appreciate your hard work on the Trail and the look out, as I'm sure all of us fellow hikers do. I picked up a ridiculous amount of trash on the trail as well as at the trailhead so I know what you mean regarding the need for better care. Protecting the trails and the public lands in which explore has never been effective by throwing stones. Help educate, not alienate. :)
Posted by:
NC to WA Convert on Aug 24, 2016 01:04 PM