Decided to do Jolly Mountain today as I read a TR that the gate was open, otherwise I would need to start the hike from Cayuse Horse Camp which would be an additional 5 mi RT and at least 2,000ft extra of elevation gain.
I started late at around 11 AM and saw only 2 cars on the side of FR 4315 at around 4,500 ft. There was intermittent snow on the road after this elevation.
I put on gaiters at around 5,000 ft as I started postholing. For some reason, I followed a random bootpath that led me to the edge of the road with some loose rocks. It was a bit sketchy.
The road walk was around 1.3 mi until I saw the trail marker #1340. Snow was still intermittent until I was at around 600ft below the summit. I brought poles, ice axe, spikes and helmet but only used poles. Snow was perfect for kicking steps on the way up and plunge stepping on the way down. There was also a great bootpath that was easy to follow all the way to the summit.
Met only 2 group of hikers. Two guys attempted to do Skookum but they said they needed crampons and ice axes, and then two women who summitted Jolly earlier. Would love to do Skookum and the Louvre too in one day but I didn't have time and wasn't comfortable doing it solo.
Weather was perfect and the view over the Stuart range was incredible! There were also lots of Avalanche Lily and Spring Beauty (I think) blooming along the trail. Overall, the hike was Jolly good!
Stats: 8.3mi RT, 5:30, leisure pace with lots of photo stops.
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