Starting at the Cedar Falls TH (along the Palouse-Cascades trail), we walked for 2 miles till we hit the Olallie TH (a kiosk marks the spot). From there, we hiked up to the second overlook, which is, according to the map at the TH kiosk, 3.8 miles up. The trail was in excellent condition till just about the first viewpoint. Evidence of recent trail crew work was clear--and thank you!!! :-)
The Palouse-Cascades stretch was clear of all debris and flat. The Olallie trail was very nicely cleared up to about 1/3 of a mile shy of the first overlook. (There had been a boatload of blowdowns after the December storms, and they cleared up A LOT of fallen trees). About 1/3 mile before the first overlook seems to be where they've made it so far. I counted 11 blowdowns from there to the first overlook, and 11 more between the first and second overlooks. They are all minor, though--easy to walk over, around or through, IMHO.
As far as snow conditions, there was no snow until we reached the ridge area--where the trail first seems to top out and you have your first views looking north across the valley to Mt. Si and other peaks (and down on I-90). The snow is patchy--I call it The Holstein Effect, as the snow "spots" the ground in a Holstein cow-like pattern. We were fine without poles or spikes. If you go beyond the second viewpoint/overlook, you will want spikes, though. Right after the second viewpoint, the snow becomes continuous, and is about 8 inches deep and pretty crusty (i.e., slippery). The second viewpoint has no benches or anything, but is clear of snow and has a decent view (see pics). Due to a time constraint, we didn't venture any further today.
Total mileage was 11.6, elevation gain (unofficially) was probably bout 1500 feet. It was a gorgeous almost-spring day today!
Happy hiking, Everyone!
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