Hike: Heybrook Lookout
22 Dec 2011 23:01![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nwhikerWe were supposed to go snowshoeing over by Leavenworth. We got out a bit late, but it was still doable.
The weather was beautiful: cold and clear.
As we were driving Highway 2 eastbound, I remembered a lookout hike we'd been wanting to do but never got around to. And it was a perfect day for a lookout hike.
So we decided against the snowshoes and for the hiking boots. Less driving, always nice.
There was no real snow on the trail, but lots and lots of graupel. It wasn't too bad, and though I loathe walking on snow, this wasn't too too bad, actually.
The hike was short, about 2.5 miles (we thought it was 5, but it was 2.5 RT) with 850ft in elevation gain, so rather steep. It starts out right off the highway and pretty much heads straight up the mountain in forest. There are lots of "steps" rather than slope, either rocks or roots or planned logs, which made it easier to deal with the snow.
It was only the last 20ft which were icy and very difficult, but SO worth it because... oh wait.
Pretty cool, eh? As I said, spectacular blue sky. And an awesome restored lookout that you can climb to the top of.
We quickly stomped up the wood stairs to the viewing platform, and it was incredible. Alas, we only had cell phone cameras and the sun was in a cruddy position for good photography, but these do give an idea of the panorama.
Lookout structure, with the guy line to the right and the lightening rod's grounding wire. The kids were a bit.... non plussed to see the caliber of the wire, btw.
Kids and dh in the tower.
As always, more photos at the Flickr set, and also a video of air bubbles under ice
So there. All in all a very nice hike. The kids didn't complain at all, and I didn't whine about going downhill, which I hate, in the snow, which I also hate.
The weather was beautiful: cold and clear.
As we were driving Highway 2 eastbound, I remembered a lookout hike we'd been wanting to do but never got around to. And it was a perfect day for a lookout hike.
So we decided against the snowshoes and for the hiking boots. Less driving, always nice.
There was no real snow on the trail, but lots and lots of graupel. It wasn't too bad, and though I loathe walking on snow, this wasn't too too bad, actually.
The hike was short, about 2.5 miles (we thought it was 5, but it was 2.5 RT) with 850ft in elevation gain, so rather steep. It starts out right off the highway and pretty much heads straight up the mountain in forest. There are lots of "steps" rather than slope, either rocks or roots or planned logs, which made it easier to deal with the snow.
It was only the last 20ft which were icy and very difficult, but SO worth it because... oh wait.
Pretty cool, eh? As I said, spectacular blue sky. And an awesome restored lookout that you can climb to the top of.
We quickly stomped up the wood stairs to the viewing platform, and it was incredible. Alas, we only had cell phone cameras and the sun was in a cruddy position for good photography, but these do give an idea of the panorama.
Lookout structure, with the guy line to the right and the lightening rod's grounding wire. The kids were a bit.... non plussed to see the caliber of the wire, btw.
Kids and dh in the tower.
As always, more photos at the Flickr set, and also a video of air bubbles under ice
So there. All in all a very nice hike. The kids didn't complain at all, and I didn't whine about going downhill, which I hate, in the snow, which I also hate.
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