Was able to hike about a mile in before I lost the trail under the snow...looks like it crossed to the east wall of the canyon which is snow-covered, but the west wall is mercifully thawed. Some snowy patches and a Lot of elk scat to walk over, but fairly easy. Made for a nice, if rainy and muddy, hike. Plan to return later in the spring to explore more of the trail.

Hike was great except the hunts we fired gun around 2 groups of little kids. Scaring them leaving many crying. We kept going. We weren't going to let hunters drive us out. A proper respectful hunter would have never done that. They did get the sheep to move. Giving me a chance to get some great shots.

Balsamroot at peak. Parking tip. Parking on south side of Hwy 410 much less rough than north, if you have a low clearance sedan. WDFW pass needed on either side of highway.

Great conditioning hike. Go through the elk fence and immediately hang a right, crossing the creek, then follow the trail leading up the ridge. Not for beginners. Must be confident navigating sheep and elk trails and walking on incredibly steep, loose, dry, dusty rocky slopes. Great views of the Yakima Valley, Mt Adams, a peek of Goat Rocks, Nelson and American Ridges and Mt Rainier. Saw an enormous herd of bighorn sheep grazing the slopes on the other side of Waterworks Canyon. One rattlesnake spotting and a scorpion (cool!). Wildflower a are blooming. Lots of swallowtail butterflies in the area.

The trail itself was in good condition and easy to follow. Wildflowers still in full bloom. Be wary of snakes. With the warm winter they are already coming out.