This is a gorgeous trail, but it makes you work for the views! Like the hike description says, don't be fooled by the moderate mileage and elevation gain snapshot. Although it's about 4.5 miles from the trailhead to the basin, you do the vast majority of the elevation gain in 2 miles. The last mile is very rocky and steep. There are some sections with mild scrambling. It's worth the struggle, though! It's easily one of the most beautiful and interesting hikes I've done in WA.
I selected "minor obstacles on the trail", not because there are actually things to climb over, but there are a couple of areas where the trail has gotten very narrow and sloped. My partner slipped because one of those sections was also muddy. Thank goodness he caught himself on a root, otherwise he would have slipped right off the cliff. It's a small section, but hikers should be cautious, especially if it's muddy. I imagine that section will need to be re-cut at some point.
I highly recommend this hike, but I don't recommend it on a weekend. We went on a Saturday morning and the trail was very busy. Because there are many very steep, narrow sections, especially in the last mile, it gets a bit frustrating to be constantly stopping to let people pass. If I did it again, I would do it on a weekday. I would also bring camping gear because the basin is incredible, and I would have loved to spend more time exploring that area.
Thanks to all of the considerate/smart people on the trail who were wearing face coverings! I know it's tough when you're huffing and puffing on a steep hike, but if you're not prepared to wear a face covering when passing people, you shouldn't be out on the trails right now. Keep yourself and your fellow hikers safe!
Comments