I figured I drove all the way out here, I might as well go for another hike.  These 2 were right up the road.  I did about .5 mile (500') of Sulphur Mountain, got tired and went up Suiattle (pronounced SOO-attle) River trail.  Both trails in good shape, many creeks and waterfalls on the latter.

Went about 5 miles (1 hour 40) up, didn't hit snow.  At 2 miles the trail crew has dug some crawl-unders where logs have taken out the trail.  Maybe they're not done but it's pretty tough - and muddy.

 You can really get a good walk in on this already, with more warm, snow-melting weather on the way!  Of course, didn't see anyone on either of my hikes today.

Took a quick run up Sulphur Mountain, in reality more like a slow slog. Trail starts up and keeps going that way for most of the journey. At about .25 miles there's a small creek but it is not yielding much water now so bring at least 3 liters with you. The trail is in good condition, there are a dozen or so downed trees, most walk or climb over and two with detours, one near the start the other up about 3 miles.

This is a forest hike with little to see as far as views until you break out at the top. You're then rewarded with peaks in all directions. Except for Dakobed aka Glacier Peak. For this view you'll need to climb the narrow path on the right, a few minutes more. And there she is! Looking down and north sits the beautiful blue Sulphur Lake. There is a side trail leading down to the lake.

This is a wonderful trail, the lower parts of which pass through miles of lush second growth forest with some massive old growth mixed in. I only hiked the first 1,700 feet of elevation gain because I had hiked the entire Green Mountain trail the day before, but I wish I had focused on the Sulphur Mountain trail first because the forest was so peaceful and beautiful. Also, the black flies were terrible on the Green Mountain trail, but non-existent on the Sulphur Mountain trail. For a description of the purportedly spectacular views from the upper portion of this trail, please see Craig Romano's description in his excellent book, Dayhiking the North Cascades.

There were a few trees down across the trail, but only a couple were hard to get around, and those are in the beginning. The trail is steep, but the tread is in good shape, and the trail rewards slow hiking. The entire portion I hiked was in shade. The undergrowth is verdant but generally low in height, allowing you to see several hundred feet on either side of the trail. The trail snakes quite a bit, and it feels as if you are continually discovering new views as you round each bend. Also, the Suiattle River is gently audible in the background for the lower portion of the hike, adding to the ambiance.

In over four hours of hiking, I saw only one other person. I plan return to complete this hike as soon as possible.

*NOTE* Suiattle River Road (FR 26) closed to incoming traffic 7/30/2017 due to forest fire at milepost 7. Fire crews were arriving as I was driving out, the flames were high and the smoke was thick. Check current fire status before planning a hike in this area.

Road to the trailhead in pretty good shape. Some small sink holes and a slumping section on the paved portion, these have been recently marked with orange paint for repair, so easily seen and avoided. Graveled section is alright, with some sections of potholes and washboards. Plan for around 30-40 minutes to reach the end of FR 26 from HWY 530. Nice restroom available. 

Considering how many years this trail received little to no maintenance, it is in remarkably good shape. There are numerous blowdowns along the path, and because of the tight switchbacks and steep mountainside, you often cross the same tree more than once. Most can be over-undered, 2 have an alternate route being worn in around them. The trail is very narrow, and in some places overgrown with just-past-ankle-height salal and other woody shrubs. No rocks, but it is rooty in places, and there is quite a bit of soft duff covering most of the trail in the forested section. A few small slumping areas, and some places where it is off-camber. Be sure to bring plenty of water, the trail is bone dry except for a sluggish stream in the first quarter mile. 

This trail is steep. Brutally steep. Thigh-burning, punishing, grueling on the ascent, no easier descending with the knee and spine jarring loss of all that elevation. Sulpher let me know I was not in as good a shape as I thought I was =) The trail heads up through forest 95% of the way, wonderful if you don't want to be exposed to the sun while toiling up the switchbacks. The trees are lovely, and plant nerds will be in heaven with the amazing variety and sheer numbers of saprophytic plants growing in the sections with less shrubby undergrowth. Pinesap, pinedrops, several types of coralroot, candystick, and gnome plant were all to be found along the way in quantity, although I missed the peak bloom by a couple of weeks. The trees thin as you get close to a small saddle, and peak-a-boo views begin here. There are a few wildflowers still in bloom, white bell heather, arnica, and lupine, but these are fading fast.

When you finally reach the saddle, this is where the real views begin. Taking a small trail to the left will lead down towards Sulpher Mountain Lake, a glittering gem in sapphire blue. Heading right leads along a ridgeline towards the old lookout site, there is still a small bit of snow to one side, well off the trail though. A few wildflowers still blooming, but definitely past prime. The views are spectacular though, and Glacier is *right there*! So close!

The bugs were absolutely terrible at the top. Despite a good breeze, I was assailed by every type of flying, biting bug you can think of, and in vast numbers. I had permethrin/picaridin treated clothes, as well as breaking out the Deet in desperation. These hungry insects were deterred by nothing, and the larger biting flies followed me a good 15 minutes downhill from the summit.  Bug netting may be the way to go.

Me and a friend decided to get some conditioning and take in some great views at the same time. This trail didn't disappoint in that regard. The climb is steep, steady, and relentless; and is in forest about 90 percent of the way. With that said, it is virgin forest and very beautiful.

We hit the trail at about 9:45am, and took several short breaks. There are probably about a dozen trees down across the trail. Most were pretty easy to step or climb over. A couple required us to walk around them, but very doable. The trail is in great shape and easy to follow. Just be careful at a couple of the switchbacks, as you could go the wrong direction, but it's still easy to follow the route.

At about 5,000 feet, the forest began to get thinner and the views started to open up at about 5,500 feet. Being a humid day, much sweating was involved, but it was well worth it! We attained the ridge at about 1:20pm. The views on the ridge/knoll are spectacular; particularly of Glacier Peak and the Suiattle River Valley. Views over toward Green Mountain and North Cascades peaks are also awesome. Several types of flowers were also in bloom.

Other than one person heading up while we were on the descent, we had the trail all to ourselves. It took us about 3 hours to descend.

I'd highly recommend this hike if you want a really good workout, enjoy solitude, beautiful forest, and awesome summit views!