This 2.6-mile-long trail is in great condition, and provides great southerly views of the Sherman Pass area. It doesn’t reach all the way to the summit, but a quick off-trail hike through the open forest is easy to handle.

On a beautiful spring day with 70-degree summit temperatures, the hike along the Wapaloosie Trail #15 was most pleasant. It took me 2 hours to leisurely hike up out of the lodgepole pine forest, into Douglas Firs, and out into an open slope covered with sagebrush and grasses. One can easily see 60 miles to the southeast and northeast. Above the ridgeline, there were patches of rapidly-melting of snow from the mild winter, but bring your own water – there are no springs or other water sources.

If you start out early and want to make a loop hike, it’s possible to drop back down to the Kettle Crest Trail #13, head northwards to Scar Mountain (7,046 feet) and Copper Butte (7,140 feet), then descend back down to Albion Hill Road via the Old Stage Road Trail #75. If you want to just return back to the Wapaloosie Trailhead, allow 1-1/4 hours for your descent.

I could tell that I was the first one up there this season, since there were no footprints in the patches of snow on the summit. Although I only did this as a dayhike, I could tell that the campground at the Wapaloosie Trailhead, and the campsite at the summit, would make a great weekend destination to explore the Kettle Range.

Although I didn’t see any wildlife (except for birds and chipmunks), I found this hike to be more pleasant than the trail through the burned timber of nearby Copper Butte (7,140 feet). The views are better, and one doesn’t have to peer through the “comb” of dead trees to see distant vistas. The trail is easy enough for children and horses, and offers quiet solitude.

We finally got to spend three days in the Olympics. On Sunday we did about a five mile stretch of the Hoh River trail, the weather was great and it was wonderful to walk amongst the great ones. It was icy and cold in spots and then sunny and warm in others. We kept getting in and out of our warm clothes due to changing conditions in the forest. When we left we saw three elk standing there and when we got out of the car they were close enought to touch. Needless to say we took lots of pictures! Happy Hiking :0)

Hiked the Hoh River trai to Olympus on Wednesday, day hiked to Glacier meadows on Thursday. Climbed the boulder field to the lateral moraine and beheld the Blue Glacier-- Whoa! Who knew? A once in a lifetime experience, incredible to get so high up in November without snow

Trail in very good shape and clear all the way through to Glacier Meadows with one exception. About half a mile from Glacier Meadows there is a washed out gully where a new trail had to be hacked into the hillside. A downed tree was cut but for some reason it was left too long. The tree overhangs at a narrow and steep point on the trail so take care to watch your head and pack as you pass.

Rain on Friday so trail was muddy and slippery in places. Clear and hot weather Saturday through Monday. Beautiful day for a climb on Sunday and made it to the summit of Olympus. Crampons useful on Blue Glacier but snow was soft leading to Snow Dome and beyond. Route through Crystal pass made use of snow bridge that is likely gone by now so passing the bergschrund may now be problematic. Easy going round back then up over false summit, down to saddle then up last snow ramp to the summit block. A beautiful day on top with clear views of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver Island, Mts Baker, Rainier, St. Helens and Adams. On return amazing streams of water running across the Blue Glacier.

A long hike out on Monday but rewarded with beautiful scenery along the river and a refreshing swim in Lake Crescent on the drive back.