As noted in previous reports, it's just the last mile or so of road that's a little worse for wear. That said, it's more the woop woop type of potholes than bang bang type. Just pay attention and watch the tire tracks of people who went before and all vehicles should be fine.
I arrived at the trailhead after 9:30 and found it about 50% full - ate a quick breakfast and then got moving by 10:00. The water crossings were easy - found enough exposed rocks on the first to step from stone to stone without getting wet at all. The trail is in great shape, especially the first portion where recent work has been completed. The sun started breaking out right about the time that Kulshan came into view - lots of photo opportunities!
The final ascent toward the look out brought more clouds, but still much to look at including many, many ripe blueberries. Ate a sandwich at the top and took a timelapse of the clouds scooting up valleys and over ridges below me. The view down was mostly obscured, but I won't complain - it was a great hike and experience.
On the way back, the water level had increased significantly. I watched several people coming across pick their way across the stream, then decided to just wade through, knowing that I had a short walk back to the parking lot.
I'm a middle aged guy with a 40-hour office job, not in the best shape, but made it to the top in 2.5 hours without issue. The trip down had fewer rest stops and took about 30 minutes less. Got back to the parking lot by 3:15 and found it closer to full, but still some available parking spaces that weren't random ditches or ravines.

Comments