This was my first time doing this hike and I can see why it's so popular! Very close to Seattle/Tacoma and offers a fantastic trail and views! You'll either think its short and sweet or short and steep!
For being a little under 4 miles round trip and going up almost 1800', the trail is very steep. I was carrying my infant daughter up this hike and it was a real leg burner! The trail is in very good condition, between the way the rocks are laid out and the tree roots, it's almost like a staircase to the top. Hiking on the stone parts is so cool, you will feel like you are walking up to a medieval castle!
There was a cloud cap on the top when I got to the trailhead but it dissipated just in time for me to see Tahoma, Mt Baker, Puget Sound, and some of the Olympics from the top. You get two awesome viewpoints on the top of this trail.
Carrying about 25 lbs of precious cargo on my back, I was very careful with my footing on the way back down. Some of the loose dirt is very slippery and the roots can catch your feet. Even without a baby on my back I would be careful on the way down, poles recommended.
On a cool, fall weekday the trailhead was pretty full at 10am, there were only a few spots left, I think on a nicer day it would fill up pretty quick. I am a fast hiker and it took me 2.5 hours to finish the hike with a quick break at top.
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