East Creek Trail

East Creek Trail (#756) is a long hiking route in the Methow Valley Ranger District of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, used as an access line to Mebee Pass and the historic Mebee Lookout.

The trail is centered on a Granite Creek crossing issue: with the East Creek bridge replacement completed August 18, 2025, the crossing has a 92-foot steel truss bridge with wooden decking positioned higher above the water and farther from the bank edge.

From the trailhead off Highway 20, the route heads quickly down through forest to Granite Creek; the formerly used crossing location is obvious, and the main hike requires using the established route to get past that creek.

Climbing resumes above East Creek with a steady gain and a high-switchback section. One documented climb segment includes 21–22 switchbacks into the pass area, bringing you up to Mebee Pass; the pass itself is described as extremely narrow with wind exposure.

This line continues toward the Mebee Lookout site, which is reached on foot by leaving the pass and following the ridgeline approach described by route reports; the lookout structure is a small, historic fire lookout.

For long-distance planning, East Creek Trail can be rougher and slower beyond the major junction points, with sections that are hard to follow when trail tread is disrupted; expect winter closures when Highway 20 is closed and note that seasonal conditions can affect brushy spots and snow timing.

Trail access is managed via a day-use fee at the trailhead (with Northwest Forest Pass / Interagency Recreation Passes accepted). Picnic tables and restrooms are available at the trailhead, but potable water is not.

Route maintenance has been a central part of the story for this trail: it was largely inaccessible for over a decade after the original bridge failed, and the 2025 bridge project is intended to restore main-trail access while further tread work continues.

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