Summary: Uncrowded and exposed hike along ridgeline with views and wildflowers.
Road: Paved up until FS 116, which is unpaved, but you park immediately on it.
Parking: Trailhead parking is along the side of FS 116; there were about half a dozen cars when I arrived at 9:45 am on a Sunday, and none when I left in the afternoon. There was room for more cars, too.
Trail: The first half of the hike is on FS 116, so the tread is wide and the grade is moderate. The second half of the hike, after the turnoff to Hex Mountain, is much narrower and oftentimes steeper. The tread tends towards loose sand and rock, which proved problematic descending on the steeper portions. I landed on my butt more than once, which was dangerous to my dignity more than anything else. The entire trail is relatively exposed, with little shade and no water. Between the exposure and the tread, my 10 year old dog was so ready for the hike to be over by the time we were halfway down.
Wayfinding: The hike description directs hikers to stay on FS 116 without taking any branches - however, it is not always obvious which is the main road and which is the branch. During those times, look for arrows made of sticks in the road as well as cairns by the side of the road. I was so charmed by these trail signs that I repaired a few arrows and cairns myself. The trail signs continue even on the trail post-FS 116, as there are a couple of interactions with more roads.
Payoff: Frequent views of Cle Elum Lake on the way (behind you when ascending, ahead of you when descending). 360° views at the top. I actually had my lunch at the peak just southeast of Hex Mountain because there was a party already at the top. I think it had better, more unobstructed views of Cle Elum Lake. That party left soon after I showed up so I grabbed more pics at the top of Hex Mountain too. Wildflowers still out and proud.
Social distancing: Met half a dozen parties on the way up and none on the way down. Everybody was polite about keeping distant, and given how easy it was to keep far distant, nobody felt the need for face coverings.
Other notes: One hiker I met told me he saw a bear right on FS-116, probably not more than a mile from the gate. I wasn't sure whether to be disappointed or relieved that I did not see said bear myself, though I swear I smelled bear a couple of times during the hike.
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