The gravel roads to the trailhead were in great condition, both 84 and 8440. When I arrived about noon, there was a ranger telling people how to park to avoid blocking the road. There was even a very clean port-a-potty in the parking area.
I asked the ranger if there was anything I should know about the trail. He told me it is old so it is very steep. He was right.
One thing that made the climb a challenge was the it was all up, no little flat stretches, just up and up and up.
The view from the top is well worth the climb. The was clear and Mt Hood, Mt St Helen’s, Mt Adams and Rainer were all within view. The snowy caps of the Olympic peninsula was even in view.
The trail ends at the base of a rock face that is steep and challenging. There is a long span of drop offs that not everyone seemed to notice that it was a long way down. The deer flies were very persistent at the top, especially around the lookout.
It is just 1.9 miles to the top but the overall hike was surprisingly difficult for me. I would still do it again anytime I was in the area because view at the top is was truly stunning.
Related tip - the Big Creek Campground which you would pass on your way to 84 was quiet, with only 28 sites that were all spaced quite a way from each other. Sites 1 though 8 were along a little creek.
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