This hike is a bit of an obstacle course, but the payoff is amazing. The first mile or so is super rocky and there are several other rocky parts to challenge your ankles and balance. There's water over the trail in a couple of places. And then there are some big snow patches starting at about 3400'. None of the snow patches last very long, just long enough to tempt you to put on spikes, and then there's more dirt and rocks following. I went all the way up and back with just poles and it worked out. The hike's only 9 miles, but it always feels like I've worked harder than that.
The payoff though: the view is one of the best on the I-90 corridor. On top of that, the weather has brought out the first pikas and wildflowers. Great week for this hike.
Some other details: saw about 20 other hikers, which seems like a lot for this trail on a Wednesday, but did I mention the weather was perfect? Had plenty of solitude though. The trailhead bathrooms were open, clean and stocked.
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