If you like blueberries then this, mostly ridge walk, is for you. The berries are extremely plentiful and at their peak right now.
Going up, the switchbacks made for easy travel before the long ridge. Several hikers passed us going down said they had no views on top. It was the marine layer that was slowly lifting. The vegetation was quite wet so some put on rain pants before getting to the open meadows area of West Cady Ridge. When we did arrive at the Benchmark summit, Glacier Peak just came into view. We had left the trailhead at 0845 and arrived on top at 1320. Skies were clearing to the east but mostly cloudy north and west. We spent about an hour on the summit and headed down. Going down, the brush was dry from some sun and slight breezes.
There are a few, nearly dry, streams for water down low but no water on the long ridge above. We felt fortunate to have had the brief views to Glacier Peak and easterly. There were some distant smoke plumes seen, probably from lightning strikes that left trees smoldering. Our trip down took 3 hours and 45 minutes. It was exactly seven miles each way, making for a long hiking day. Take plenty of water.
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