A group of Mountaineers did a 14-mile hike (caltopo route link is included). There was a dusting of snow up on the ridge (it should all melt in the coming sunny days). All of the trails were dry, the ground was mostly frozen. Cheeky Bugger is a great trail that goes through varying terrain (it has great wildflowers in the spring). The mountain bike trails up on the ridge have mostly good tread and are a great way to experience the steppe-shrub landscapes. We talked with a hunter, deer season is over here and elk season has begun. We only saw a few hunters and only heard a few gunshots at great distance; I have never felt at-risk the many times I have hiked out here in the fall.  I love all of the browns and tans, with a few other colors thrown in: antelope brush, some remaining rabbitbrush blooms, the red buckwheat plants, ocean spray (the pictured mule deer was eating the multi-colored leaves).

Today I hiked Westburg up to the Boy Scout junction and down the Boy Scout trail. I was a little worried after the rain and freezing temperatures that I wouldn’t make it very far up before the trail got too slimy. I was able to easily make it to Boy Scout and the trail was in ideal condition! Perfect traction, and a perfect hike.

Got out early to beat the 100° forecast. The trail is in good shape but dry. Can be a little slippery on the steeper parts of the trail. Shaded and cool most of the way at 7-9am.

Boy scout trail was in great shape; dry and appears to have been snow free for several weeks already. Bugs were an annoyance at the top, but a non issue on the trail. Highly recommend the boy scout over the more popular Westberg route. The boy scout is more scenic with much better tread. Westerberg is the messily, eroded direct route up the valley. The start the boy scout isn't well marked... Instead of crossing the irrigation canal to the DNR sign (and the start of the Westberg), turn right and follow the road and irrigation canal to the right for about 5 minutes to start the boy scout

Today I hiked the loop up Boy Scout Trail and down the Westberg Trail. The Boy Scout is the next hike west of the more heavily travelled Westberg. Both of these are very icy and slippery. I would not try any of the hikes here without spikes and poles.  There are sections of bare ice. If you don’t have spikes with you, bring a competent health care partner, appropriate medical equipment, and/or a mortician. The trail today was lonely and I saw no other hikers until I was back at the parking area.  It was sunny and the views were great, as always when not socked in. There is nowhere else I know of that offers such sublime views of the Kittitas Valley.  On clear days, you can also see the Stuart Range off to the NW.