We began our hike at the lower trailhead, the trail is fairly easy up to the junction with the upper trailhead, so unless you're stressed for time no reason to skip it. After the junction the trail takes an up turn but is well maintained all the way to the top. This is a rigorous jaunt, well worth the effort though. In the latter 2/3rds picture lots of rocks, stairs, skree slopes and steepness; but also mountain goats and killer 360 degree views including Mount Olympus. We hiked the Skyline Ridge in early July and it was exciting to see it in another perspective. At the very top we encountered a mother goat and two young. Wish we would have planned more time for exploration of the surrounding peaks at the top. Plan the day , you'll be glad you did.

Mt. Ellinor 8-31-09
I was going to do something @ Rainer/Sunrise but last minute changed my mind and went opposite way in search of goats. I’ve read about all the goats in this area for a year or so. I left my house at 5:30 and got to TH around 7:30, not bad at all. I watched the sunrise from the bottom of the forest road. I was the first one in the parking lot today. The trail started out really nice and then got meaner after .5 miles. I used to like of like steps, but not after today. I stopped and rested many times and took in the views and looked for critters. When I finally got towards the top I saw the parking lot down and 2 more cars had pulled in. I got to the summit and checked out the area, for an hour or so looking for goats, and finding everything but the beasts themselves. Hair, poo, foot prints, there was a lot of evidence but no goats. I reluctantly headed back down the trail around 11:30 and kept looking up in the rocks and just as I was about to head down the big long open steps area… Bam.. there was a goat! Yipee.. horray! I was stoked! Then as I looked closer it was 2 goats and when I download the pics it was a mama & baby! How fun! Wished they were a little closer, but it’s all good. I was just happy to see them.
I also saw a couple of these birds at the ridge.
Many people coming up as I was cruising down.

I got in my car and headed down turned on GPS and figured I’d let it take me home. That was my first mistake.. At the end of the FS road where the sign is for Mt. Ellinor TH I remembered turning right and GPS told me to go left for 3 miles and then turn on slade road and then turn on 101.. I listened to GPS.. Then I felt like I was on the movie RV with Robin Williams in my FJ instead of the motorhome.. cuz I was on these logging roads that kept getting smaller and smaller and then a logging truck almost took me out.
Then GPS kept saying 0.7 miles turn right on 101.. then it would say in 1.2 miles… then another 0.7… it was all F’d up! I had gone over 15 miles in circles and there were T’s and Y’s and I couldn’t remember how to get back to where I knew where to go anymore.. I called my hubby in frantic panic, like he could help me 3.5 hours away…
I figured I had keep going, trying to find a way out.. I turned up this one little tiny road, probably ATV trail… NOT good! It was steep and narrow and I scratched the *hit out of both sides of the FJ.. it’s 2 years old now but still… dang it! I heard the paint scratching as I got up this hill and then I saw houses and RV’s! Civilization at last! Then I pulled in and begged this lady for help, who came right out… she got in her car and lead me out of the maze and had to unlock the gate, I was on private property now..oops
I apologized profusely and have no idea how I landed there.. but she was very nice and had an amazing view of Cushman from her plot in which they were building a house on very soon. Good times! Then I stopped for a shake in Hoodsport and sat in traffic on i-5 and 512 for a good hour. Rollover semi or something..
So, good hike, just some drama in the end.

It was quite foggy all the way up. It cleared for very brief periods once at the summit. Take note to mark the end of the trail when entering the open field just before the summit. 3 hikers found it confusing to find the trail leading back down in the fog. GREAT hike on an even GREATER day. Going again 12th of August. See Ya on the trail !!!!!!!!

Fantastic hike from the lower trailhead on a partly sunny, partly misty day.

As the description states, the lower hike is a nice stroll through beautiful wooded areas with few views. After the upper trailhead, the climb becomes extremely steep, but well worth the effort.

There were some late bloom wildflowers still hanging on, and two herds of goats, including kids, near the summit. The trail was in perfect condition, mostly dry, with no snow or standing water.