Lost in the center crease of a Washington State road map, you’ll find Thorpe Mountain Lookout just to the north of I-90, nearly dead-center in the state. A marvelous day hike climbs a little more than 1600 feet from the Knox Creek Trailhead. On the trail to Thorpe Mountain, hikers pass through sagebrush and pine covered slopes at lower elevations. With altitude changes, the scenery shifts to alpine fir, mountain huckleberry, open hillside meadows, and large granite outcroppings. Raptors, migrating through these eastern Cascade Mountains, typically tally between 2000 to 3000 per season. Common species include the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Harrier, Golden Eagle, and American Kestrel. In this frosty view, early signs of winter white have muted fall's boisterous colors. Today, low clouds diminish views of the stately peaks of nearby Mount Stuart, and Mount Rainier to the southwest.
   Heading north from Exit 80, Route 903 leads into the Wenatchee National Forest and the Wenatchee Mountains. The U.S. Forest Service, finding Thorpe Mountain the perfect viewpoint, erected a lookout post in 1931. Situated at a junction of Kachess and No Name ridges, Thorpe Mountain views extend in all directions.
   Parking for this hiker’s challenge requires a Northwest Forest Pass (essentially a trailhead parking permit). Most route directions begin at Roslyn and take about 20 miles of driving to the trailhead. Maybe this elevated view of Thrope Lake has piqued your interest.

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