Last Friday I wanted to revisit another familiar but long ago enjoyed hike so when the forecast called for a large amount of snow coming I knew that I only had one chance to check on Beckler Peak before snow closed the road until late spring. If you have been around for awhile, you know I have multiple stories about hiking on Beckler Peak. Not only because it is relatively close to my home but it offers a variety of perspectives to spend time in.
After seeing no trips for Beckler posted on Washington Trails Association since mid-December, I checked the forest service website and saw that the road was still showing open. I knew there may be a delay in updating but worse case, I’d head over to Heybrook if the road was actually closed. Most of winter, the snow starts where FR 6066 meets SR 2.
I turned onto FR6066 about 7:30am and began navigating the many potholes. They really aren’t the worst thing, it’s the vegetation waiting for you when you try to go around them. This is not a road for people who care about their car’s paint job. And then there are all the long ruts caused by water runoff.
The snow began about 3,000 feet, both from the sky and on the road. But it was not much more than an inch or so in most places and I was able to make it to the trailhead. The trickiest spots are those last switchbacks in the road, especially that one at 4.4 miles that has thwarted me several times in the winter. I had to take a second run at it, not from snow, just the ruts and mud.
I arrived at the trailhead at 8:30 and to no surprise I was the only one there. I didn’t have an intent to hike the whole trail as I didn’t want to risk being stuck if the snow predicted came in earlier than forecasted. There are parts of the road that are pretty narrow with a significant drop off.
So, I just hiked up to the bridge at .6 miles and no snowshoes were needed. With the fresh snow from the night before and this morning, it was a winter wonderland. And so tranquil.
I had recently been reminded when looking for photos on my whole website reset that I had not hiked to the east peak of Beckler since they put the new bridge in. I remember how much “fun” it used to be to have to navigate the erosion at the stream. I was glad to see that is no longer a thing!
Then:
Now:
So much nicer for enjoying the cascading water…
A pile of snow on the bridge showed how much the snow from December had melted.
But the new trail was not my only objective today, I wanted to see how the old trail was doing as well. So I drove back down to where it starts and backed in the tiny area where the decommissioned road heads up. Again, I wasn’t going to hike the whole trail but I gave myself a goal of hiking as far as the viewpoint of East Beckler in hopes maybe the clouds would clear enough to enjoy it.
The beginning was in the same condition as my last visit in 2020, just covered in snow. It was hard to tell if anyone was using it because of this but there may have been the faintest impression of a social trail so I had hope.
This was the worst downed tree I had to navigate, won’t be a problem to clear in the spring at all.
As a I approached the one mile mark where the “trail” switchbacks into a nasty overgrown section, I was initially excited to see the base of East Beckler. Would the clouds part for me?
I hung out for about 20 minutes where the trail basically is a stream and the slide alder and devil’s club reign, hoping for the best but only rewarded with the solitude of a snowy day on an abandoned trail. No complaints…
I slowly trekked back to the car, promising myself it would not be another three years before I returned. Someone has to keep the trail alive! The hardest part was the last little bit to the car, it doesn’t look like it in the picture but it’s a steep drop off.
I was even able to catch a few glimpses out at the valley on the drive down and scouted for where the winter trail appears to goes up about 1.4 miles in from SR 2. I could see on the map it was pretty much underneath the old trailhead. I got out and walked in a short distance, it did not continue to be as defined and would probably take route finding (expected). The plan is to visit in when the trailhead is inaccessible, similar to when we did Evergreen Mountain Lookout in winter.
It was still early in the day, so I decided to stop at Good Brewing Co. in Sultan to see how it has changed since it was Timber Monster Brewing. I was sad to see the menu did not have the roasted Brussels Sprouts but it did have more options in general, although not labeled for gluten free. However, they had a sign that said to ask so I did and Lisa, my server, was able to tell me what was what.
I tried the steak salad, where else can you get a small size for $9!? It was more than enough for lunch. I also tried the homemade coleslaw which I highly recommend. It did have some sweetness but there was a delicious tangy, savory roundness to the flavor profile.
Lisa invited me to free bingo on Wednesdays and I couldn’t help but notice the cozy section by the fireplace, perfect for winter post-hike relaxing. You got a check it out!
When I got home, I bundled up and settled in to cast on a new project for a January KAL by Gary Knits Gary Rides (he’s into knitting and bike riding, my other loves!). I was only 4 days late but who is counting? It is the Bascule pattern by MK Nance, a colorwork set of mitts and hat. I just love the color combination and can’t wait to see the finished project. Odds are it won’t be done before spring is here but who knows?
All in all in a great day and it has me motivated to return to Beckler more this year. This returning to familiar trails is growing on me!
Click here for more information about Beckler Peak. For Good Brewing Co., click here. They also have another spot in Woodinville! And if you want to learn more about the KAL (Knit A Long), you can find out more on Ravelry.
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Nice going getting up there before TH is snowed in! And sorry to hear that the brussel sprouts are no more. I didn’t even know Timber Monster had changed hands. Good Brewing looks good though.
I only knew because I had driven past and the name was changed! Overall, I think it was for the best.