Seeing all of the rhododendrons along the trail made up for the steepness and the bugs. Nice view of the Olympics from the north lookout, but we didn't go to the other one since it looked a bit hazy and cloudy back toward Seattle. I don't know that I'd do this one any other time of year, but it was lovely with the splashes of pink flowers among all of the greenery. 

I enjoy that I can hike mountains to see the views from the top and intend to keep myself active and in shape so I can do that well into my later years. However, there is also a road that brings vista-seekers to the top of Walker, off of which you'll park for the hike. 

Around 11 am there were 4 vehicles in the lot and one gentleman came off the trail and left as I was snacking in my van pre-hike. Down to 3 (including mine). As expected, I then had plenty of solitude as I hiked up the trail, stretching out my calf muscles on the 10-20% grade incline. I met one other person on the trail; we passed with a simple greeting and we were both on our way in opposite directions. 

At the top I saw the owner of the 3rd vehicle, sitting and soaking in the view from the north viewpoint, the first you'll encounter coming off the trail. There were also a few groups who had driven to the lookout. Since it was a bit crowded there for my liking, I set off down the road to check out the south viewpoint. I had that one to myself for a while and though the views aren't as impressive, I could see the city in the distance and everything in between quite clearly. 

I walked back to the north viewpoint and it was a bit quieter, so I took some time there to admire the mountains (I love how there are peak ID graphics at both viewpoints so you know what you're seeing). After watching a chipmunk nibble on some foliage, I headed back down.  

On the way down I had the trail to myself and I took my time to admire my surroundings and take some pictures with the camera I had brought. There are a few rhododendrons starting to bloom and plenty of trillium (although they're coming to the end of their season) and lots of fiddleheads starting to stretch out and uncurl. 

It was a beautiful few hours in the woods and a nice workout (on the way up).