This hike has incredible views, isn’t too crowded, and feels like just the right amount of mileage/elevation gain to make the summit especially enjoyable :)
We started around 9 am on a Sunday morning, holiday weekend. The upper trailhead parking lot was full but there were still a couple spots on the side of the road available. Restroom at the trailhead well stocked and pretty clean.
Of note, we got a bit confused on the way to the upper trailhead. You’ll probably lose service on Forest Road 27. There’s a dirt road turn-off to the right about ~5 miles in on Forest Road 27 that’s unmarked. It looks like there’s a post for a sign that someone has removed. Anyways, just stay on the paved road, and don’t turn onto gravel until you see one that’s explicitly marked as the Upper Trailhead road. Eventually you’ll see a sign to go left for Lower Trailhead, right for Upper Trailhead (new, must have been added after the WTA Getting There directions were written).
The first 1.5 miles or so climb up through forested area; peak rhododendron bloom has passed but there were still some left to admire. The climb isn’t too steep and there aren’t too many switchbacks, especially if you’re used to the ones you’d find on I-90 corridor hikes.
Around 1.5 miles you’ll start to break through the trees and you’re treated to some great views of the sound. The trail definitely flattens out around the 2 mile mark for a while, which is a great breather. You do start getting pretty exposed and the heat can be intense, so make sure you bring enough water! Ended up rationing ours towards the end.
Trail got a bit slippery from loose gravel in last half mile, but nothing too extreme (we did not have hiking poles and we were fine)
Summit was breathtaking. Blue sky day with very little wind. Bugs weren’t an issue. From the top we could see mount baker, rainier, adams, and saint helens! Overall 10/10 would definitely recommend!
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