Thorp mountain via Knox creek is a great sunset hike option as it is not too long. However, the road to get the trailhead is pretty bad. We parked about 1 miles from the actually trailhead in an area that was quite washed out and bumpy in a Subaru Forester. You could make it past this spot if you didn't mind scraping the bottom but we did mind. Parking here makes the hike about 6 miles and a bit over 2000' gain round trip, still reasonably easy. There are 3 or so insignificant snow patches all a couple hundred feet below the top. Views and fantastic for such little effort.

My friend and I carpooled--masked, windows open, and her in the backseat. The day was partly sunny and mild, perfect for hiking. I had never driven past Roslyn, but now I know where Ronald, WA, is. The FS road was good until it wasn't--last mile. A tank trap stopped me, so we walked about 3/4 of a mile to the unmarked trailhead. Two cars did make it through--drivers either braver or more foolhardy. The first mile of the hike was through a south-facing meadow that is in need of brushing and re-benching, but when an explosion of flowers is the reason you can't see the trail it's hard to complain. Tremendous views wherever you look--Mount Stuart, Mounts Hinman and Daniel, wind farms of Ellensburg, Thorp Lake, Kachess Lake. We couldn't see Rainier in the thick overcast to the southwest. As we approached Thorp Mountain Lookout we encountered a few melting snowbanks and lots of glacier lilies. We met sporadic groups of hikers coming and going, but at the lookout, we and one other hiker had it to ourselves for 45 minutes. I found the ridge chilly so pulled out my stocking cap and gloves. Those came off once we dropped off the ridge out of the wind. The hike up felt just right, not too steep, but going down, my toes and calves were feeling the braking, steeper than I thought. Luckily for me the road walking back to the car allowed my calf muscles to relax a bit before stuck in car for the long drive home. The next day and the day after I did not walk around stiff-legged like Frankenstein. Gorgeous hike!

Wildflowers are bursting with color! However, the road to the trailhead is overgrown on one side with woody branches. Your car will get scratches. There is a large rutted out area where we stopped. The road is fine past that part. Most cars were parked before the ruts and branches (there were only four other cars on this holiday Friday.) 

The trail hasn't been maintained. It is overgrown in places, is sliding down the side in places, is straight up on loose rocks in places, and even just fine in places. It gives a good workout in about a mile to a trail junction. Nice views all around and flowers of all colors line both sides of the trail. The trail levels off for a bit after reaching the forest at the junction. There are views down to Thorp Lake. Then the trail switchbacks up for the final push to the lookout. We got a late start (at 1:00) and shared it with only one other person who we had a nice chat with! 

Stopped at The Brick in Roslyn on the way back. First time in a restaurant since March. Great day all around!

I’ve hike this trail many times over the years and each time the road gets worse and worse. I got to the trail head in my F150, but I wouldn’t have taken my car. It’s okay until the last mile or so, but you might want to park and walk from lower down the road to avoid some nasty ruts in the road. 
The first mile is a bit overgrown and off-camber, but not bad enough to interfere with enjoying the tons of wildflowers blooming right now. Snow patches start at about 5,300’, but they’re pretty mild.
The lookout is closed right now, but the views of Mt Stuart, Mt Rainier, Mt Daniel, and all the mountains in between are spectacular. You can also look down on Thorp Lake and marvel that the fire lookouts used to go down and fetch their water there and haul it 1000’ back up the hill, once the snow was gone. 
Start early in the morning, because this trail gets hot, until you get on top of the ridge. 

Went to do Thorp Mountain via Knox Creek on Sunday June 7th. Knox creek road is two miles after turning off the main FS road, but due to the road being rough only able to make it up 1 to 1.2 miles, if you car has high clearance you'll be able to make it past the obstacles and smooth sailing to TH. From the trailhead up the slope it's pretty straight forward, just follow the trail. At about a mile from the TH you will see a couple pockets of snow that are easy to traverse. Once near the Kachess Ridge junction you'll be in a bit of snow, no technical diffculty, but will need route finding ability since no trail is visible. Up to the Thorp Creek junction there is snow, but the exposed spots are snow free. After the Thorp Creek junction there is a bit of snow to travel over, but nothing technical. The last bit to the summit is straight forward. I highly recommend this route to anyone looking to shorten the hike to Thorp who has GPS data and doesnt mind snow travel. Brought spikes, but did not require use.