Starting at the Cedar Falls TH (along the Palouse-Cascades trail), we walked for 2 miles till we hit the Olallie TH (a kiosk marks the spot). From there, we hiked up to the second overlook, which is, according to the map at the TH kiosk, 3.8 miles up. The trail was in excellent condition till just about the first viewpoint. Evidence of recent trail crew work was clear--and thank you!!! :-)

The Palouse-Cascades stretch was clear of all debris and flat. The Olallie trail was very nicely cleared up to about 1/3 of a mile shy of the first overlook. (There had been a boatload of blowdowns after the December storms, and they cleared up A LOT of fallen trees). About 1/3 mile before the first overlook seems to be where they've made it so far. I counted 11 blowdowns from there to the first overlook, and 11 more between the first and second overlooks. They are all minor, though--easy to walk over, around or through, IMHO.

As far as snow conditions, there was no snow until we reached the ridge area--where the trail first seems to top out and you have your first views looking north across the valley to Mt. Si and other peaks (and down on I-90). The snow is patchy--I call it The Holstein Effect, as the snow "spots" the ground in a Holstein cow-like pattern. We were fine without poles or spikes. If you go beyond the second viewpoint/overlook, you will want spikes, though. Right after the second viewpoint, the snow becomes continuous, and is about 8 inches deep and pretty crusty (i.e., slippery). The second viewpoint has no benches or anything, but is clear of snow and has a decent view (see pics). Due to a time constraint, we didn't venture any further today. 

Total mileage was 11.6, elevation gain (unofficially) was probably bout 1500 feet. It was a gorgeous almost-spring day today!

Happy hiking, Everyone!

I drove out to North Bend for a jaunt up Mt. Washington starting at the Twin Falls TH.  There were only 4 other cars in the lot when I arrived around 9:30am.  The Twin Falls Trail has a handful of down trees to cross but they are easily managed even by a novice hiker.  There are several places where you will need to navigate very large step ups/downs mostly by the stairs leading to the falls.  I had the place to myself as I climbed past the falls and up to the junction with the Palouse to Cascades State Park Ironhorse John Wayne Trail or whatever it's actual name is.  You know, the rail trail with the long tunnel.  Once there I turned right (west) and hiked about 3 miles to where the Olallie Trail begins its ascent back to the southeast.  I ran into a work crew cutting up some of the many trees that had fallen on the trail.  They tried to turn me back initially, citing dangerous tree hazards and an unknown number of blowdowns on the path ahead.  Not to be deterred so easily, I offered to scout out the trail ahead.  If I got turned back, I could give them a first hand trail report.  If I didn't come back, then they'd know I made it through and therefore the trail probably isn't all that bad.  They agreed and sent me forth into the wild upon my scouting mission.  The Olallie Trail is certainly a mess right now but totally doable.  There are countless down trees but most are small and easily negotiated.  Intermittent snow starts around 3000ft and becomes continuous by 3500ft.  This trail is lightly traveled and there is no packed boot path, so snowshoes might be required on warmer days when the snow softens.  The snow was icy and hard today with the clearer, cold weather so I could walk on it without snowshoes.  Micro spikes were a must in the icy conditions.  There is a small avalanche/mudslide about 20 yards across that you will need to hike over, but it is no trouble if you watch your footing.  Once at the junction with the Mt. Washington Trail, I realized I didn't have enough time to summit, so I hiked back down the Mt. Washington Trail and called it a loop.  The MWT has a solid boot path in the snowy sections so there is no need for snowshoes, but you will definitely want microspikes unless you want to look like a dog wearing roller skates.  There are some more fallen trees to deal with but they won't slow you down much.  I made it back to my car at dusk and just in time: the ranger was sitting at the TH waiting for the stragglers to get back to their cars.  Good thing I didn't summit!  Next time I'll start earlier...

Nice day to be outside without seeing many people other than our group. The goal was to at least get up to the first viewpoint.  We didn't make it.  Trail fairly snow free then I think snow started at 1500-1550ft. Some snowfields to cross. Slushy but doable without spikes etc.  Poles were helpful.  Had to do a little route finding due to at least 2 dozen downed trees in first 3 miles of trail.  A little climbing over and under and through took time.  Postholing in some places didn't help.  Ran into 2 Mt. Bikers who didn't get very far before turning around due to downed trees.   Going to need a bit of cleanup on this trail.  No idea state of trail beyond where we went.  I suspect more of the same.  Still a great day to be out and enjoy sun and great company. Priceless. ;-)

From another report, I said hello to two people on the trail who might have been "bentley-edelmann".  

I'll just add that the trail became consistently snow-covered at 2050', where I turned around (my enjoyment of snow being approximately zero), I estimate about 1/2 mile before the first viewpoint.

With the warmer temps today, expect wet bombs falling from the trees if you venture that way.  I find the whole hike rather dull, but this time of year, one hikes where one can.

After spending a week in the Phoenix/Peoria, AZ area (great hiking this time of year!), it was bracing to get back on the trail here at home. I.e., cold and "fresh"! The desert terrain was super interesting, but Edelman and I love the fir trees, water, ferns and moss of our home turf. Anyway, only hiked to the first viewpoint on the Olallie today to make 9 miles RT: 2 miles along the Palouse-Cascades Trail (to reach the TH and kiosk for Olallie), plus  2.5 miles up the Olallie trail. We started late (about 10 a.m.). It was 36 degrees, only a handful of cars in the lot (the Cedar Falls/Palouse Cascade TH off of Exit 32, right across the road from the Rattlesnake Ledge parking area). Trail conditions were excellent: well-drained, very little mud, traces of snow starting about 1/2 a mile up Olallie. Snow got heavier about 1.5 miles up, but was only a few inches by the time we reached the first viewpoint. We were fine without spikes, and didn't use poles until we headed back down. It's cold in the North Bend area, pretty much a wind tunnel, so layer up. I wore a full set of longjohns, a long-sleeved sweat-wicking hiking shirt, long hiking pants, a fleece, and a micro-down coat for about half the hike and was perfect. Also wore my lucky raccoon hat, complete with ears. The trail gains some elevation, but is gently graded. Many bikers use it; we saw about half a dozen on the trail today, and only one hiker. (All the bikers we've ever encountered on this trail are super friendly and respectful). So, a great hike for solitude. The forest is second growth, but pretty. Lots of moss and ferns. The first viewpoint looks across the Sno Valley to Mt. Si, and on a clear day you can see Mt. Baker. Usually we hike to the third or fifth viewpoint, but we were feeling a bit fatigued today, so took lunch at the first viewpoint. The potential is there to hike 18 miles RT, though I suspect there's a goodly amount of snow up top . . . I'd pack spikes. Happy hiking and happy holidays, everyone! Stay safe and healthy :-)