Recent trip reports are still accurate - i) the last mile of road has some really gnarly portions but with AWD + reasonably high clearance vehicle you can make it as of today at least, or you just park and add a mile or two of road walking to this short trail  ii) the first set of switchbacks have a narrow eroded trail that slopes downhill so you have to watch your step. 

Brush a not a problem right now, and the trail doesn’t have any of the waterfall or stream “features”  that others are getting now in this shoulder season.

The Lookout was closed today but the views were open!  At least about 270 degrees of them anyway.  The elongated plateau of the summit has lots of room.

Overall a pleasant enough and not crowded trail, pretty quick and with a nice payoff.  I think I’d try coming from the Thorp Creek TH next time to compare and contrast.

A beautiful fall day to hike the shorter route from Knox Creek trail, 4.5 miles with elevation gain of approx 1650' to lookout.  We had to leave one car parked 1 mile short of very small parking area due to worsening road conditions, but our other higher clearance SUV did fine so we carpooled from there.

Elevation gain starts quickly through a series of switchbacks up mountainside of beautiful fall foliage ducking into stands of evergreens at time.  Trail pretty narrow and surface treacherous at times with erosion on the downhill side.  Poles are recommended and I hardly ever use them. At intersection,  about 1.8 miles up, follow Kachess Ridge trail for final push to the top.  This was a hard 2.4 miles with elevation gain but so worth it.   360 degrees of mountains greet you at the top and with clear day, we could see all the way to Mt. Adams to the south.  

We hiked to what would be the first clearing after the woods section at the top, but we were rained on the entire way. The trail is slippery in these conditions and gives way easily on the edge (which is true in dryer times as well). Right now the bushes in the first section are still really overgrown, so wear long pants or prepare to be scratched. The road is the same as always, which is to say, high clearance or you won't make it to the end. The first 5 mile section is easy, and the last 2 is pretty rough- I always have to scrape the sides of my suv to make it across the rocks and ditches. It's a great hike- this is my third time doing it, hopefully I'll go back in a few weeks with less rain. The bush colors are amazing right now both on the trail and in the distance.

Getting there: 

Follow WTA directions - Google maps will take you to the wrong spot.  Hang a right at when you hit a V in 4308 at 4.9 miles (there is a small sign for Knox Creek Rd). As other reporters have mentioned, the last mile to the TH is ROUGH.  If you are familiar with FS "road" 7810 to Summit Lake trailhead, it's like that but only 2 miles rather than 7. For sure, only to be attempted in a high clearance vehicle. I made it fine in my CX-5 but sustained a lot of scratches on the side. There were only 2 other cars at the trailhead when arrived at 2pm. No restrooms at the TH. 

Trail:

Previous reports stating that the first 3/4 mile of the trail are overgrown is no joke.  It's always easy to follow, but be prepared to be up close and personal with branches and grass up to your shoulders on a very narrow trail. I highly recommend long pants and hiking poles. The mosquitos for the first mile were AWFUL. So bad that I couldn't even stop for photos without my face being swarmed (thankfully I brought long sleeves).  They disappeared once I hit the junction at Kachess Ridge trail and the wind picked up significantly. Don't make the same mistake I did - bring bug spray! The wildflowers are in out in full force and simply stunning. It was really chilly at lookout - definitely needed a jacket.  Only passed 3 couples near the lookout (zero on the trail from Knox creek to Kachess ridge), and all had excellent trail etiquette - most wearing masks. This is a great trail if you are seeking solitude!  I am out of shape and have janky knees - took me 4 hours round trip with lunch and photo stops.  Even on a cloudy day, views were spectacular!

Recommendations:

Long pants, hiking poles, jacket, bug spray, sunscreen, GPS, water for your four legged friends (no water access on trail), mask, high clearance vehicle that you don't mind getting scratched. And of course 10 essentials!

On a clear sunny day we headed to the trailhead and Knox Creek.  French Cabin Creek Road was rough, but after the turn off onto road 120 conditions deteriorated.  There were many rough sections with one spot some people would not even want to drive a high clearance SUV over.  The lower section trail was on a slant and it was easy to start sliding downhill.  The upper section was steep with loose scree. The Kachess Ridge and Thorp Mt. trails were in better condition.  The flowers and the views were outstanding.