Wanted a moderate hike to get the kids outside on a beautiful fall day without needing to wake up at the crack of dawn for parking. Snagged a spot in the very full lot at 9:40, with lots of cars also parked along the sides of the road. Many of them appeared to have bike racks/trailers etc., and it seemed like mountain bikers were the majority of the people we saw at the trailhead, though as noted in the description, the hiking and biking trails are separate so we only saw a few cyclists throughout our hike when we crossed trails.
We enjoyed some natural theater, as the sun was slanting low like a spotlight through the trees, and the winds were high, whipping the canopy back and forth with creaking, rapping sound effects. Trail conditions were dry and clear, and despite the strong winds there was very little debris falling. We stopped for a snack and a tiny view at the picnic table at Stan's Overlook. The air definitely got noticeably crisper after that, as the vegetation seemed to shift from brushier, leafy forest to more firs and pine-coated paths.
Had another lunch break at Grand Prospect around 11:40, chatted with a fellow hiker, and enjoyed the clear views across to Mt. Si and over to Mt. Baker. After a long linger, the trip downhill was quick, though the rocks caused some sore knees and ankles the next day. Overall a nice outing, the Mt. Si hikes are better but this offers a nice alternative if you are looking for a change of pace and want to stay in the North Bend area.
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