The trail guide says this is a two-day backpack, but we did it in three days with a patrol of young Boy Scouts. It was a pretty good climb from Goat Creek up to Tumwater Mountain, where we spent our first night. We were very happy to find water in the pond atop the mountain. Then it was a simple ridge walk to Deadmans Lake for the second night. Wildflowers abundant in the few places where the trail took us out of the forest. Easy hike out from Deadmans Lake through some impressive old-growth forest back to the trailhead.

Travel to this hike was longer than expected as the distance from the nearest town is almost 30 minutes. The initial part of the hike is through forests and the trail has gravel. After almost one and a half mile, the trail js along the ridge of the mountain and you get great views of both mount rainier and mount Helens. A view of the downslopes which are almost barren contrasts great against the rest of the landscapes. We didn't stay late enough to see elks grazing since they usually are seen late evening. We couldn't really figure where the trail ends as the trail goes on even after 3miles

Great weather, lots of bugs, amazing views. We did an overnight 3 day trip. Skip Dead Mans lake camping if you can, the shallow waters fester with biting mosquitoes. We started from the Green river horse camp and did the loop clockwise for an easier return trip. We brought our dog and there was plenty of water on the first 12 miles from streams and lakes, but the last 6/7 miles are very exposed with little shade for a pup.

Headed out pretty late for a solo overnight. After a few day hikers left the trail was empty and I was the only one on the mountain. The first couple miles were pretty brutal with a 30 pound pack but well worth it! Made it up to a snowfield on the right with great spots for camping, trees for hanging gear and a great view of Rainier. I am glad I brought Deet because the mosquitos were pretty intense, I ended up reapplying a few times. Great sunset. Woke up early the next morning hung my gear and made it to the top ridge before turning around. Great views from the ridge including Adams, Helens blast zone, Rainier and the lahar bed from the 80s eruption. Flowers are just beginning to grow and temperatures were perfect for pants and tank top. A few blow downs on the first half mile of the trail. Great time of year to make this hike, well worth the bugs.

FS Road 26 up to the trailhead had many trees down across the road or partially blocking. With my husbands trusty axe, he cleared the ones that couldn't be driven around and my daughter (11) and I pulled them from the road, and we made it up to the trailhead. Trail is steep all the way to the top, and there are a number of downed trees across the first half mile of trail. They can be climbed over, or gone around with a little work. Hit the slushy snow about half way up, with it covering more of the trail the higher we got. At the top there was probably 3-5' of snow covering the entire ridge. Still gorgeous views, but no way to traverse the ridge toward the west. So we ate lunch in the sunshine in a tree well, took a few snaps, and headed back down the slippery, slushy trail. Picked up trash at the trailhead (geez!), which also looks to be a campsite as theres a rock fire fire ring, and headed back down FS26, enjoying the waterfalls and the views back to the valley.