Backpack Big Creek Trail to Three Lakes Camp, Finley Peak Lookout Site

Backpacked into Three Lakes and continued up to the old Finley Peak Lookout site.  

Trail to Big Creek was in relatively good shape.  Those old puncheons could use replacing.  Big Creek could have been waded but there was a convenient log that we used to cross it.  Getting back on the trail from the other side was far more difficult than the creek crossing.  Trees have slid from the hillside above the creek and some scrambling is required to get over to the trail.  This obstacle will turn many hikers around.

Snow starts about 1/2 mile before Three Lakes Camp.  The trail is very wet here.  Most of the campsites at Three Lakes are still either buried in snow or are puddles.  We did find one site that was dry. We were able to fit a 2-person tent and a bivy on the site.  The meadows around the lakes are essentially swamps right now.

The trail up to Finley Lookout is very overgrown - bushwacking and route-finding skills are needed.  There is a fair amount of snow to be crossed to get up to the ridge but the ridge itself is snow free.  The snow conditions did not require microspikes but we did need to kick steps so boots would be a good idea.

The Skyline Trail starts from Three Lakes Camp.