Spent a night at Bluff Lake, hiking up to Pt 5,020 in search of views.
Road Conditions. The road was in very good condition all the way to the trailhead at the end of the (maintained) road. The turnoff for Rd 46 was signed on Hwy 12, but none of the junctions on the forest service road had any signage. No facilities at the trailhead, but there was a kiosk with self-issue permits right at the start of the trail.
Trail Conditions. No obstacles on the trail, gentle grade with nice tread to the lake. The lake had two established campsites with space for several tents, both on the unburned side of the lake. Past the lake, the tread was a bit uneven where it had been restored after the burn, but every blowdown had been cleared for as far as we went. The only running water was in Purcell Creek, which would have required a short off-trail detour near the start of the trail.
Highlights. Some ripe blueberries here and there, but mostly well past prime. Pt 5,020 (a short off-trail detour from the trail) may one day have 360 views once all the dead trees have come down, but as of now, there is one spot above the lake at about 4,450ft between two switchbacks that has an unobstructed view of Mt Rainier.
Crowds. Didn't see anyone.
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