I decided to visit Zion on this cloudy drizzly day to see the blooming Rhodies and I wasn't disappointed. Mt Zion is the northeastern most peak of the Olympic range. The trailhead is just east of Bon Jon Pass on Rd 2810. A forest road map is useful since a few turns were unmarked. The trail traverses relatively young forest that was obviously burned many years ago. Native pink Rhodies make up the primary understory plant most of the way. Rhodie blooms were just past their prime on the first 1/2 of the trail. They were right at their prime on the 2nd 1/2. There is even a large patch of blooming Rhodies in a clearing just west of the peak. No views today. I looks like the trees are beginning to encroaching on the potential view. 3.6 mi RT, 1300 ft.

Traveled to the top of Mount Zion for Father's day with Grampa and the boys, eight and nine. This trail is very well-maintained from start to finish. There were many different types of flora out, including trillium, vanilla leaf, false Solomon's Seal, and phlox and wild straw- berries at the top. The tread is very comfortable, with pine needles padding the path nearly all the way to the top. But the most impressive sight on this foggy day was the presence of so many rhodies. They were just budding out from start to finish along the trail. Another couple of weeks and this hike will be in full color. There were many folks out on the trail, mostly families. We counted maybe 25 people still heading up as we were heading down, and we got a late start (11:30)! The views were non- existant, but it was a fun workout for the boys, especially wandering around on the top ridge as it went up and down. It was only a 30 minute drive from Quilcene to the trailhead, 1 hour 15 minutes to the top, and about 40 minutes down.

Me and my son(4 1/2) headed up early to do his second mt. summit of the season. We got to the TH at about 11 am. We came in via Lord's Lake Loop and FS 28 and FS 2810-all are in very good shape so far. One other truck was pulling in at the large parking lot. We headed up before them. As summits go, this is very easy, the grade is good, and the trail is smooth in 99 % of the area. Like how they have installed wood water/erosion bars to cut down on motorcycle use-there was no evidence of any having been up there lately! Great views from the summit-it took us about 1 hr to get to the top. the clouds rolled in 10 minutes after we got up there and it turned cold. headed down and passed 3 other groups going up. this is a trail that is much easier to trail run going down-took us less than 40 minutes. A good day hike if you've got strong kids. also, snow-free too!

The road to Mt. Zion trailhead over Bon Jon Pass is open, just a bit of snow, but we made it up fine even in the Accord. The trail itself is in good shape, with snow and ice on it starting almost immediately. You can do the hike in good boots, but a pair of snowshoes with good crampons and brakes (like our MSRs) sure made it easier. What a great day. And there is little eneough snow on the roads that we should be able to go higher quite soon.