QUICK TAKE: If you're hoping to take advantage of snowfields on the backside of Web, you're too late this year - you must climb the talus (but it isn't too bad).

I couldn't get to the Ira Spring TH since I wasn't driving a logging truck so I parked at exit 42 (which added ~600' gain/loss & 1 mile to the hike). I believe they have the road open on weekends.

I took the Ira Spring connector trail with a quick stop at the "Little Balcony" and past Dirty Harry's Balcony on up to DHPT (which had the most people of these trails). I hopped off DHPT onto what is called the "Web Mountain Trail" on GAIA GPS and it was brushy at first but only for a short while. I did use GPS a couple times on this section but overall the path is in good shape staying mostly in the trees up to Dirty Harry's bathtub where the path ends at a boulder field which was the most difficult of the talus to get thru. I made my way down to the bathtub and followed the water source uphill thru the trees towards Web. This basin was the worst spot for bugs - they flew into my eyes, mouth, nose but luckily my earholes were protected by my earbuds. There were just a couple small snowfields that I could take advantage of (spikes not necessary). Eventually I broke out of the trees and into the talus. The rocks up higher are smaller and much easier to walk on though steep so I took my time - it took me an hour from the bathtub to Web summit. I knew that I didn't want to gain the SW ridge too soon (or else scrambling would be involved) and I hit my mark just to the right/below of the summit. Thankfully, the bugs were no longer an issue. I enjoyed a well deservred lunch break on Web and then proceeded along the path over to P3 for another little break. (BTW - the summit register is just a big wad of wetted paper). Wildflowers along this ridge are wonderful with beargrass and heather dominating but others too. I took the P3 trail down and the upper portion is very steep and slippery due to loose rock and dirt that has turned into dust. Once down in the trees, the P3 trail is in much better shape and has longer switchbacks. I ran out of water and didn't bring a filter (though there was plenty of water available on the first 1/2 of the trip). I got back to the Ira Spring connector and went out the way I came in. 

9 (long) miles, 4,192' gain, 8 hrs moving

• After listening to the gunfire from target shooting across the valley intermittently for hours, it stopped and I can only hope that the shooters were caught and fined. For the greater good, (more trail users than shooters), the FS needs to shut it down (with fines or just close the road access). I spent too much time thinking about this while on my hike.
• Trail runners seem to have adopted P3. They are amazing, I don't know how they do it but I do know one thing, they're all younger than me.
• I'm done with going down P3. It is OK going up but from now on, I'm going to take a longer, less steep way down (either this trip in reverse or over to Defiance and down by Mason Lake).

Ideal hike for a weekday afternoon (Thursday). Started at the trailhead around 3:30pm. Views were clear with dramatic clouds rolling overhead and the occasional sunbreak.

Mellow mood on the trail. Encountered about a dozen other hikers on the way to/from the Balcony. Between the Balcony and the Peak we only saw two others.

Wildflowers are in bloom! We also spotted a plant that resembled asparagus, but was red and white. Poisonous?

The trail to the Balcony is in immaculate condition. WTA and DNR crews have done great work here. The section between the Balcony and the Peak is noticeably rougher, but still passable. There's water flowing on the trail near Museum Creek, but it's possible to cross without getting wet. Still a few small snow patches near the summit, but none on the trail.

No bugs between the trailhead and Balcony. The bugs became more numerous between the Balcony and Peak, but luckily they weren't the biting variety.

The clouds rolled in during our descent and we got hit with a few sprinkles, but the rain held off. Returned to the trailhead around 8:00pm.

Rain, or not rain, who knows!

Rain was forecast for Sunday, so I went on Sunday but found that all the rain had moved north by midday Saturday. Despite sleeping in, I decided to give it a try and... Rain started when I was putting on my boots, though it stopped after 10min. I continued in shorts and tshirt while the air temperature slowly decreased from 60F to 47F near the summit.

I had the approach and mountain to myself, and even the sun didn't want to work much this morning. Because of the cloud and fog layer, it felt like dawn until at least two hours after sunrise. The summit was closer to 40F with constant humidity/dripping from the cloud layer, so I didn't stay long and there wasn't much to see. I did stop several times on the descent to bask in the 53F glory.

By reaching the balcony junction, the fog layer had risen to 3200ft, and it was actually more drizzly below. Rain started ten minutes later and continued for the remainder of the hike, the lower portion of the trail being more muddy and peopled than anything above the balcony.

8.25mi, 1175m ascent

Got to the trailhead by 10:20 am. Still plenty parking, Weather was fine and then got a bit windy and cold later. Plenty wildflowers on the way to the Balcony. We stopped at each of the view area. Nice view and the clouds were moving in. Took a quick lunch by the Balcony and continue up to the peak. The trail had more rocks and steep. Several nice benches (actually tree logs) with valley view. Creek flowed along the trail just after the turn to the museum. I didn't visit the museum this time.

Snow section before getting to the summit. No spikes needed and I didn't have psot holing. Foggy on top, could not see any surrounding peaks nor the lakes below. No bug as well.

Saw just a few hikers on the way up. Passed by a group of ten people on the way down.

AllTrails: 9.5 miles 3573 feet elevation gain.

Wanted to go for a quick day-hike on the summer solstice and figured that the Balcony would be a good option. The trail to the balcony is in good condition, but was muddy in places from recent rain. I made good time up to the balcony and was not as impressed with the view as I had hoped (I am always bummed when I can see the highway). I decided to start hiking up to the peak, knowing that I could turn around if I started to run out of time. The trail up to the peak is also in good condition, but steep at times. One mile from the top I debated turning around because I was starting to feel tired, but I decided to push on regardless. I ran into three other people who were hiking up and agreed that the trail was steep, which made me feel better. I often check my Gaia map when I am hiking to see where I am on the trail, but I always seem to run into people who have no idea how much distance is left or have lost the trail in the snow. I find it incredibly helpful to have a GPS/Map for this reason. Plus, people are always asking "am I close?" and I feel like responding, "close to what?". It's so easy to download a map on Alltrails or other apps now a days that I don't know why most people don't have one when they are out on the trail.

I agree with the previous trip report from 6/19/22 about snow conditions. I did not use gaiters or microspikes when going up to the peak and I did punch through a couple times. The weather was beautiful and I was happy to have taken the trip up in spite of the intense elevation gain on the trail. Maybe I am just a little out of shape still? I did wear my microspikes on the way down to avoid any slips.