Beware the pothole as you transition off pavement to gravel - clearable but watch where you go so you don't pop a tire. Northwest Forest Pass required and kiosk at the TH. Portapotty is running very low on TP, consider bringing your own. Lot had 8 cars when we arrived just after 6, not many more when we descended.
9 of us from the Mountaineers enjoyed a "sunrise start" from Exit 47 (Pratt Lake TH) walking by 6:30 a.m. for a fabulous visit first to Talapus Lake, where we took a 20-minute chat and snack break, then Olallie Lake on our way back, where we enjoyed 40 minutes and some wading time. 3-4 of us cooled off our feet (I totally swear by it for recovery!) Balmy.
Lovely breeze, bugs weren't too bad (I had my head net at the ready) and wonderful shade on this hidden gem of a trailhead. Still abundant running water in almost all of the streams, all of which are totally crossable without poles. Trail is in fabulous condition except for the boardwalks which could use a few new boards. Loose, with a few holes - watch your footing.
On the day we had 15 bird species including all 4 thrushes, Pacific wren, a few flycatchers, golden crowned kinglets, and brown creepers, in addition to steller's and Canada jays at Talapus Lake. No stealing of food, however.
The hike itself couldn't have gone any better.
Traffic getting back is another story. I strongly recommend that you check on road construction for the next 4-6 weeks, as we got whammied with not one but TWO areas of slow-downs at Exit 32 westbound (I-90) where crews are paving and 3 lanes merged into one -- man, those trucks, where did they all come from? -- and northbound I-5 on the ship canal bridge. Each added about 20 minutes to our driving time returning home.
Take the express lanes or consider hiking up north of Seattle so you don't have to deal with heavy traffic delays. Or, like I did, have great passengers to keep you entertained. My group was a-MA-zing.
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