We parked at the closed gate on the Mt Walker Road and hiked .25 miles to the TH. In 2 miles and 2000 ft elevation gain we reached the North Summit where we had no views because of the fog. However, we had good exercise to prepare us for our week-end of hiking. How beautiful this trail must be when the rhodies are blooming! The trail was clear.

We initially intended to try and showshoe or hike Tunnel Creek, but the Forest Road 27 is essentially pure ice after less than a mile. So we decided to try Mt. Walker. Parking is at the Mt. Walker turnoff, and the road to the top is closed for the season. Although there is snow on the road before you branch off to the trail, the trail itself is snowfree for at least the first 1.5 miles or so. Then, the snow/ice starts. Some form of snowgear or trekking poles is necessary at the moment--I stepped carefully and used my poles while my wife actually put on her snowshoes. Views from the top were actually pretty nice, and we enjoyed some ramen and cocoa to keep away the chill. We decided to take the road on the way down to avoid the icy conditions on the trail. It was great snowshoeing for about the first 2 miles, and then we took them off as the road was clear most of the rest of the way down. The road may be a little longer (4 miles as opposed to 2.5 miles), but it is definitely safer at the moment.

We've had snow in our yard for over two weeks now, so what better way to handle a day of sunshine than uh.. er... go somewhere else to play in the snow! A quick call to the Quilcene ranger station to inquire about the snow level and trail access turned us onto Mt. Walker. Me: "Snow level?" Ranger (nonchalantly): "The highway." We caught the Edmonds-Kingston ferry over to the Olympic penninsula and headed over to the viewpoint trail up Mt. Walker for a little (more) snowshoeing. Highway 101 was in terrific shape (bare and dry), despite all of the recent snow and cold temps. It was exactly 32 degrees when we hit the parking at the gate (the road up Mt. Walker is gated in the winter). Even on a Friday afternoon in the dead of winter, this trail seems quite popular. We got a late start (well after 1:00 p.m.), and there were 10 cars at the trailhead, which meant we had to park along Highway 101 (yikes). Thanks to the recent snow, we strapped on the snowshoes right at the car and headed straight up the road. Between the gate and the trailhead, the snow was frozen and crusty, so we really didn't even need the snowshoes. The trail itself was hard-packed and icy, and even bare dirt in a few places. If you're going to snowshoe this, it's probably better just heading up the road. If you're going to ski it, the road is probably the only real option. We only went for about a mile (which, with the kids, took us well over an hour) before my two year old in the backpack reported into my right ear (loudly, frequently, repeatedly, and adamantly) that her 'FOOT WET!' (I'm pretty sure she meant cold, but whatever - she was done...), so we turned around and headed back down to the car (disturbing the natural serenity to an embarassing degree along the way). The snow was very beautiful right from the start, and my kids spotted a fair number of wildlife tracks, but no wildlife (we tend to make a bit of noise).

A trip around the Hood Canal was highlighted by a short steep hike up Mount Walker. Susie elected to come down and I needed the excercise so went up. The trail is lovely with Rhododendrons (our state flower) in bloom all the way up the trail. There are many starflowers in bloom too. There was a front coming in so there was a brisk cooling wind. The trail is steep; mostly 10% to 20%grade so it's a good workout (2000 feet gained in 2 miles...) The vegetation is eastern Olympic dry forest, mostly hemlock and fir with large openings filled with pink Rhodies. The ones at the bottom are almost spent, but near the top they are peaking. Go now to catch the pink

No snow on the trail, just a bit of snow at the summit. A good alternative to other trails that are snowbound at this time. http://mosswalks.blogspot.com