We had a quintessential visit to Mount Townsend on Friday! It took us about four hours roundtrip, including our stop at the top. This trail is about as well-maintained as it gets in Olympic National Forest. The surer footing made for pleasant hiking at a conversational pace, both uphill and downhill, for our group.

Not many particulars to note! One tidbit: I was glad that we checked NOAA's sky cover forecast for the weekend, which showed that the Mount Townsend area would have the least amount of cloud cover before 11am. As such, we adjusted our plans so that we were reached the top early. The forecast turned out to be correct; we had blue skies for most of the uphill portion, then clouds rolled in for our hike back down. Glad we could enjoy the views while they were available today!

Hiked this on a clear 80* day. Gorgeous views, wildflowers, waterfalls. First mile and last 0.5 mile to the summit were both very steep, but in between these sections were more gentle switchbacks that slowly take you above the tree line and into the open air, views of Mt.Baker, the North Cascades, Widbey island, and Mt.Rainier. On a hot day like this definitely recommend bringing more water than you think, you’ll sweat it out. Several lovely outcroppings at the summit to enjoy for a while or a moment. Will definitely return to camp and for summer berries along the trail. 

Warm day. Privy clean, well stocked with TP. On this sunny June30 Monday, the upper lot was almost full when we arrived at 8:40 am. On return, it seemed that the overflow out the road hadn't gotten too bad, maybe 8 cars.

There still remained some pink rhody blossoms to admire, and a variety of colors of smaller scattered flowers -- yellow, orange, purple, white ... There was sun in all directions, but a lot of haze. Baker, Glacier Peak, Rainier and the Sound weren't sharp but were very visible. With binoculars, St. Helens was faintly there, but not Hood, not Adams. Mountains past Vancouver were distant but impressive through the binoculars.   

Sitting on an inviting rock on top, I found I was colonized by at least a hundred very small, nonbiting ants -- I'd swipe off a bunch, and after a while more emerged from clothes to arms, swipe again ...  Another hiker at a nearby rock had the same experience.

Even without the perfect distant visibility, a marvelous time on one of the very special viewpoints in the state. We were among about 20 people up top, well spread out and relaxed, a happy vibe. 

Great day on the mountain till we ran into a dirt biker on the way back. We encountered him on the Townsend trail (839) as we were returning to the Little Quilcene trailhead. The section we were at was narrow and in some places exposed; dry gravel made it slippery. He zoomed past a family with kids, nearly knocked my friends and I over; other hikers were behind us—you can imagine how many people were on the trail given the great weather. And for minutes after the refreshing air was polluted with dirt-bike exhaust. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on this trail and the Little Quilcene (835). If anyone took photos of this guy, I encourage you to post them in a trip report, notify the Hood Canal Ranger District, take any appropriate action to get this person reported and the scofflaw behavior stopped.

I planned this hike but still somehow missed I’d be climbing a mountain. Did I think I mess up both the mileage and elevation gain? Yes. Did I think I was going to die about halfway up? Also yes. Did I make it to the top of this dang mountain though? Heck yes I did! We started the hike at 6:30AM so there were only a couple other folks out, we also started from the lower trail. It was a misty gorgeous hike. Lots of wildflowers, we saw deer, we did see a bear but only on the drive in not on the trail. When we reached the summit there was a patch of blue sky but mostly clouds so you could t see too much, it was still gorgeous though. There and back took us 6 hours because I had to stop a lot on the way up, it is VERY strenuous but if my out of shape 45 year old body can do it I have faith in anyone. Well worth the trip.