Linked a bunch of trails together on Squak Mountain today to make a 6.7-mile route with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Along the way, we stopped at the Bullitt Fireplace and Central Peak.
THE ROAD / PARKING
We got to the May Valley parking lot around 8:45 this morning, and the lot wasn't even half full, so it was easy to find a spot.
When we returned around 12:30, the lot was nearly full, but there were still a few spots around.
One of the vault toilets is open, and it's in great shape. There's a light in there, and there's plenty of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. It seems like the trash cans are also being serviced right now, and the pay station at the trailhead is also functioning, in case you forget your Discover Pass.
THE TRAIL
Most of the trails we hit up today were in good shape overall. Near Central Peak, the trails were pretty muddy in some places, and my trail runners got mud all over them. My socks got slightly wet too through my shoes. That said, nothing was a big issue. Trail crews have done an excellent job clearing the trails after the bomb cyclone.
When we were heading up to Central Peak, we heard a chainsaw in the distance, and shortly after, we passed a couple of guys with one, so we're guessing crews are still actively working on the trails even as we speak. We passed the junction with the Old Griz trail, which is very clearly signed as closed (so we didn't venture in that direction).
MISC.
It was a very quiet day for us — we saw a few folks here and there, but mostly got the hike to ourselves.
We saw evidence of the bomb cyclone everywhere. There's debris flanking the trail all over, but trail crews have done incredible work to make the trails we hiked on today hikeable once more. Thank you so much, trail crews!
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