Good views, good fishing, good berry picking, good hiking-all on a trail without a good amount of use! This gem of a trail exists because of the goodwill of Walt Bailey and his Civilian Conservation Corps buddies. But we're not talking the 1930s, here. This trail was constructed in the 1990s, when Walt was in his seventies. A lifelong love for the area led Walt and his friends to construct this wonderful trail entirely with volunteer labor.

From the edge of an old cut on Mallardy Ridge, enter mature forest and begin an up-and-down, but always delightful journey through stands of impressive timber, bountiful berry patches, and bird- and bug-boasting bogs. At about 1 mile enter the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Mount Pilchuck Natural Resource Conservation Area, an area off-limits to logging and road building. After reaching a 3700-foot high point, the trail drops 200 feet to emerge in parkland meadows. Skirting a cliff and crossing a rocky avalanche slope, the trail drops another 200 feet.

Start climbing again, with an occasional dip, and at 3 miles arrive at the first of the Cutthroat Lakes (elev. 3800 ft), a series of small tarns surrounded by heather meadows tucked beneath the long ridge of Bald Mountain. Campsites dot the area, and despite the area's low usage the little lakes' fragile shorelines have been stressed. Treat the area with care.

After admiring the peaks reflected in the placid waters, carry on to higher ground-you'll carry on more quickly if the mosquitoes are intolerable. The trail continues another mile, climbing 700 more feet to connect with the Bald Mountain Trail. Turn right (west) and amble for 0.5 mile through gorgeous meadows with breathtaking views out over Puget Sound to Mount Rainer, and directly below to the Spada Reservoir and the Sultan Basin.