I started my hike at about 1:45pm on a sunny October afternoon. The most marvelous warm breeze was blowing through the forest for the first mile of the hike. The sky was blue, the air was a balmy 55 near the trailhead, the forest smelled amazing, and fall foliage was out in full force along the trail.
When I arrived, there were at least a dozen cars near the Trail 1348 marker. People were parked along the side of the road but thankfully had left room to maneuver. There are some large potholes on FR 9070 from when it becomes gravel to the bridge over a creek. After the bridge, the washboarding is more prominent. I think almost any car driven with caution could make it up.
As described, the trail gets your heart pumping. There's currently water running over rocky portions of the first mile of the trail and then muddy spots above that. Nothing that waterproof hiking boots can't handle. After about a mile, you start to get impressive views of peaks to the NE. The views keep getting better as you ascend, with several nice look outs or clearings before the summit.
There is compact snow on the trail in a few spots over the last 1/3 of a mile up to the summit. The scramble up to the summit, at least where the cable is, has compact snow on it. Getting up was no problem. I descended very cautiously, making use of the cable and tree roots for holds.
The views from the summit were amazing. Mt. Tahoma (Rainier) was looming to the south, although her details were washed out due to the sun being somewhat behind her at 3pm this time of year. Still gorgeous. I think the peaks forming Snoqualmie Pass and east toward Mt. Stuart are the most impressive part, though. I could see Mt. Stuart to the NE. I'm also pretty sure that when I looked west through the gap in the mountains that I could see downtown Bellevue.
On this sunny Saturday afternoon, the trail was pretty popular. I saw half a dozen groups descending as I went up. I leapfrogged with about four other groups on my way up, and then I saw another six or so parties headed up as I was on my way down.
Altogether a wonderful hike, particularly on such a pleasant afternoon. I'd like to come again in early summer and in the morning to hopefully see some wildflowers and Tahoma in more detail.
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