We parked at the gate and walked the easy extra half mile or so to the trailhead. This is definitely a bun burner! Very few spots on the trail that level out for a reprieve. Which make it extra hard to get to the top and have socked in fog and rain. We were really hoping it would have been burned off. So we stood and imagined the gorgeous view that was probably behind that wall of clouds. Didn't bother hiking over to the second viewpoint, as I'm sure it was a beautiful PNW view of clouds as well. :-) Question for anyone else who has hiked this before-the WTA reports 4 miles round trip (5 total with the extra walk from the gate), but our activity tracker showed closer to 3 from the car to the summit, putting total closer to 6. I know it FEELS like more because of the elevation gain, but anyone else track more miles? Wondering if it's just our device. Even with no view, it's great exercise. Saw some blooming trilliums and the forest is gorgeous. I think we will drive up this summer for the view-I earned it!

It was a quiet day for Mount Walker given that it was a warm and sunny Friday. The trail was in excellence condition with only a few small logs to step over. There was a few small wildflowers but the rhododendron have not blossomed yet. We opted to hike the road down and there was quite a few maintenance issues on the road. There was a few single trees down, one large multiple tree pile up and a rock slide.

Amazing day hike today at Mount Walker. The road to the top is closed but park at the gate like the page describes. This hike is no joke! Climbs 2000 feet in 2 miles. However the views at the top were worth it. No clouds today, so we could perfectly see the Olympics and Mt Baker from the north view point and Mt Rainier from the south. Trekking poles would be helpful for both the ascent and descent due to the 10-20% grades!

It's a very steep but rewarding hike. There are some snow patches but none on the trail.