Mount David — Friday, Aug. 2, 2024

Despite what the WTA website shows, this trail is definitely OPEN and also clear of all snow right now. Have been wanting to do Mt. David for a long time and fortunately there were no fires nearby and the road to the TH is in good shape. Call the ranger at 509-664-9200 before making the long drive. Not a lot to add to the basic description so a few current conditions. The trail is extremely clear, only a few blowdowns on the ridge, and trail runs all the way to the summit. I ran into a WTA trail party that was clearing much of the brush from the middle section, grading the trail, and re-routing. (Thank you, WTA!) The only water source is at 2600', I carried and drank 3L on this 85 degree day. Started at 6 am so the first few hours were in shaded woods. There is a little scrambling at the summit block but the trail is visible - just stay on it. A bit of an exposed stone staircase the last 100 feet but nothing too bad IMO. If you do feel like scrambling, you could take one of the Class 3-4 gullies to the top or just play around on the summit block. Stone outhouse is to the right as you just leave the flat summit. On the summit itself, I was greeted by the worst insect onslaught ever: flying ants, friendly bees, mosquitos, just swarms of nature. The highlight was getting "followed" by butterflies on ascent and descent. ~14m, 5400', 9:30 hrs at 1.6 mph moving speed. Underrated and very pleasant but strenuous day hike.