Just a quick update on this trail.  Completely snow free and in good condition except one log to step over.  A very good training hike because it gains 2,000 feet in about 2 miles.  And the toilets were open and stocked with TP should you need (thank you!).  Gate was locked so you need to park near highway 101.  There were no cars when I started, about 4 when I left.  

Took me 1 hour to get up.  Total time was 1 hr 56 minutes and 5.4 miles roundtrip.  Got some decent views on this cloudy day!

Stopped by for a quick saunter up to the summit.  Unfortunately the clouds beat me there, as the nearby hilltops winked at me and walked out the door.  (One 14" step-over fir is down across the trail about 1/4 mile up from the trailhead.)

Beautiful day hike!
2 miles of strenuous uphill. The trail is in great shape though. We visited both North and South viewpoints and visibility was excellent today.... Seattle, Baker, Rainier, Adams, and St. Helens... just amazing!! Toilets available at the top as well as a couple picnic tables and benches. Not too crowded. We walked the 4 mile road back to the parking area which was closed to cars. Lots of trees down across the road but easy enough to pass.

Beautiful day hike!
2 miles of strenuous uphill. The trail is in great shape though. We visited both North and South viewpoints and visibility was excellent today.... Seattle, Baker, Rainier, Adams, and St. Helens... just amazing!! Toilets available at the top as well as a couple picnic tables and benches. Not too crowded. We walked the 4 mile road back to the parking area which was closed to cars. Lots of trees down across the road but easy enough to pass.

As someone who struggles with elevation gain, this hike was a challenge for me. That said, the struggle was worth it! The trail is wonderfully maintained. There was one blowdown - tree was about 1ft and on the ground so it was easy to step right over.

The trail continues up - and up - and up. There is a marker that is on a tree at about the halfway point. I did not find it encouraging. Nevertheless it was beautiful. The fog in the morning slowly burned off an created that lovely quality that the forest has when filled with sunny mist.

Once you've put in the work, you end up at the top. There a two beautiful viewpoints. The north viewpoint, where the trail drops you, is a lovely view of the canal and areas north to Mt. Baker. Definitely put in the time to walk down to the south viewpoint. That is where you get the view of the canal, sound, and hopefully 3 peaks in the distance. As a note, the jays are VERY used to getting food from visitors. They were so aggressive I chose not to eat at the viewpoint as I had planned. You could eat along the road perhaps, but otherwise the trail is just hiking-wide and doesn't really have a great place to stop and munch.

Then prepare yourself for the downhill. While less strenuous on the cardiopulmonary system, your legs will be yelling.