Trail terrain: Nearly the first 4 miles is on the closed Westside Road, a gentle uphill grade on a wide gravel road. Then about 2 miles on a progressively steeper forest trail, but with some level breaks. You are in the forest for 95% of the hike, only getting above the trees at the very end.
Views along trail: It's mostly in a forest, so there are no distant views along the way. There are however several interesting rocky cliffs, and a brief time along the river. And the lake is quite nice. Once you reach the last couple switchbacks at the top, views open up to 360 degrees from the fire lookout!
Trail traffic: Fairly light, passed about 20 people on this long hike.
I don't know why Westside Road is closed - it is wide enough for 2 cars to pass most of the way, smooth and in perfect condition for the 4 miles you must walk it each way. Plenty of room for parking at the trailhead too. If they opened it up, there would be a lot more day hiking opportunities on the west side of the park. I was passed by 5! separate cars and trucks coming down the road on my way back, none were parked at the trailhead so they came from even further up the road, so it is perfectly drivable.
Rating: 4 out of 10 for me, the hike was too long for the admittedly great view from the top. If the road was open then I'd give it a 10.
Comments
Old Dave on Gobblers Knob
It would be nice to drive Westside Road. However, Tahoma Creek surges over the road - dramatically - every couple of years, and Mount Wow also drops boulders the size of small cars. These hazards keep the Park Service from allowing full access. Many people choose to bicycle to trailheads along the road.
Posted by:
Old Dave on Jul 03, 2024 08:26 PM
Brian67 on Gobblers Knob
Yeah I should get a bike. But it seems that you would not be in any greater danger in a car than you would be on a bike or walking up that road. In fact I would think you'd be safer in a car..
Posted by:
Brian67 on Jul 04, 2024 03:33 PM