Headed to the lookout yesterday and was treated to utterly spectacular views of the North Cascades and Glacier Peak Wilderness. The road is rough as usual but a car with high clearance and tolerance for a bumpy ride would be fine. Got to the TH at 9:30 or so with two other cars there. Trail is well defined. Saw early wildflowers on the hillside, Western Spring-Beauty (Claytonia lanceolata) and Yellow Glacier Lily (Erythronium grandiflorum). We began to hit some snow around 4300' but didn't hit full on snow until 5000'. Dropped into the basin and could see the remains of the D1 slide that occurred the previous weekend I believe. After assessing the snow conditions, we decided to head straight up to the lookout rather than try to follow the summer trail on our gps. We stayed close to the avy remains. The snow felt very solid and creating a boot track was not difficult. Made it to the LO a little before 12:30. Created a snow couch and took in the gorgeous peaks surrounding the lookout.
Had a fantastic glissade down into the basin and decided to climb up the ridge and see what we could glissade rather than traverse the hillside on the snow. Didn't find much snow and ended up bushwhacking slightly in the hillside brush but we did get the adventure we wanted. By the mid-afternoon the snow was melting into the trail creating muddy pools and the wildflowers were popping out. Made it back to the car around 4pm.
Great day, few people, and fantastic views. It is still winter up high. Be prepared with knowledge of the avalanche forecast and proper gear. Used ice axe, left crampons in backpack.
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