The Perfect Mini-Hike in Bigfoot Country: Heybrook Lookout

Heybrook Lookout, in the Baker-Snoqualmie Forest, has been on our list for some time. At only an hour and a quarter from Seattle, we'd originally planned to save it for a clear summer's day. That was before we ran out of ideas for winter mini-hikes close to home that didn't require snowshoes (which sound like a lot of fun but which we're saving for another winter!)

We're so glad we decided Heybrook Lookout might be fun in the snow too. We're planning to return during good visibility, but it proved to be the perfect snowy hike for our powder-deprived family. Here's all you need to know if you decide to go pre-summer...

First off, Bella called this "the best hike of all time" before we'd even finished it, and she's maintained that stance since. Evie didn't technically give us her ranking, but given how much fun she had rolling in the snow, making new friends at the summit, and getting to catch snowballs, we're pretty sure she's on the same page.

On to the experience: As soon as we hit the freeway, we were immediately enveloped in what East Coast weather folks call "wintry mix." We weren't sure what this would mean for the hike, but in the course of our travels, we've learned that the weather can vary wildly within 100 miles. We got pretty lucky on this day. It was snowing during part of our time on the trail, but the fluffy, light sort of snow that makes things magical, not the heavy, wet version that can put a damper on even the loveliest outing.

Trail basics:

The parking lot for Heybrook Lookout is really more of a pullout right on the side of

Highway 2. It can probably fit somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-12 cars. The trailhead is well marked and parallels the highway for a short time before diving into a wonderland of mosses, ferns, and evergreens.

At only 2.6 miles roundtrip, the 1,821 foot high lookout is rated fairly steep, but it didn't feel strenuous to us. More like a leisurely walk in the woods. The trail is beautifully maintained and has several sections of wooden walkways as you head up/down hill.

After a peaceful 1.3 miles, you'll be at the lookout (a lookout of some sort has been on site since 1925) and have the option to climb its 89 steps. In the summer, you can even rent the very top of the lookout for a night. We've only been in winter so far, so it's hard to know if staying over the summer would be peaceful or if there'd be lots of people walking up the lookout stairs on their way to its viewpoint, but we'd bet it's a pretty fabulous place to watch the sun set and rise!

On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mt Persis, Mt Index, Bridal Veil Falls, and Philadephia Mountain. All we could see was snow falling onto the tops of evergreens, but that was quite lovely in its own right. There was no snow at the beginning of the hike but a few nicely packed inches as we made our way up toward the lookout and about 2 glorious feet at the top…along with some footprints that were pretty sure were left by Bigfoot (above right). We’re always on the lookout!

We lingered there for a while, making snow angels, having snowball fights, and making dog friends. There are also some wonderful scrambling rocks along the trail between Highway 2 and the Lookout.

While we were playing around the lookout, we noticed another trail leading down the opposite side of the hill (see above). It appears to be a 4-miler (RT) you can access from the Index-Galena road/Forest Road 210. We're bookmarking it for another adventure.

And now...where to stop for coffee

No blog of ours would be complete without a coffee stop so in that vein, we'll share with you the fabulous spot we found post-hike: Espresso Chalet, 50000 Stevens Pass Highway, Gold Bar.

As of mid-March, they were still offering delicious eggnog lattes (unheard of post-January!), along with a bunch of interesting syrups and alternative milks (hello macadamia!). They also have ice cream, chocolate, baked goods, and Bigfoot souvenirs, along with a giant statue of Harry Henderson (above right) from the 1987 movie with John Lithgow which was filmed right here.

So there you have it, the perfect mini-hike & java stop in Bigfoot Country!

Happy journeying,