Type of Hike
Day hikeTrail Conditions
Trail in good conditionRoad
Road suitable for all vehiclesBugs
Bugs were an annoyanceSnow
Snow free
Arrived at the trailhead about 12:15 and found parking. The trail is in good condition but trail etiquette should be revisited by everyone - please remember, yield to uphill hikers. Yes, it is also difficult to come down this trail as the tread is a bit loose in spots but those that are heading uphill are climbing a steady 11% grade. We met about 10 groups as we were heading up and only 2 of them stopped and allowed us to pass. Everyone was pleasant and there were several off and on leash dogs - all were no problem. No dog poop bags as on other hikes. Met a couple of mountain bikers going up this trail - amazing!
The lupine are in full bloom now - balsamroot is still gorgeous at the top, along with ?Ocean Spray, and several other wildflowers. Gorgeous hike, well worth the effort. Barely rained on us and the drops felt good as we were heading up. The no-see-ums were a nuisance, didn't spend much time eating at the top as we were getting swarmed with them.
Comments
"Etiquette"
Thanks for the report. But over the last couple years, I have been reading an increasing number of reports and occasionally meeting people on the trail who are extremely insistent that a mandatory "etiquette" rule exists that downhill hikers must always yield to uphill. This mystifies me on a couple levels. First, why does there need to be a rule at all? Why can't we just be nice to each other and gauge what makes sense in each case based on the size of each party and where they are situated? Sometimes it's easier for the uphill to yield, sometimes it's easier for the downhill.
Second, if we are going to have a rule, the opposite rule makes way more sense, especially on steep trails. Going steeply downhill, I often find stopping my momentum difficult and sometimes even slightly hazardous. Going uphill, I'm often eager for a break anyway. While sometimes I get a nice comfortable pace going, yielding to someone for 10 seconds has never ever ruined it.
Bottom line: this "rule" is dumb, and don't resent anyone for not following it.
Posted by:
Foist on May 16, 2016 03:17 PM
cj63 on Icicle Ridge
Oh good grief, I am so sick of people who lack the basic respect for others that you must comment on a trip report. At least OFFER to yield to the uphill traffic, they are doing the work and if you are coming down you know that. Seriously? I rarely post trip reports and this is why - no one can make a comment and a request without someone else making a point to have an issue with it. Again, trail etiquette - get some.
Posted by:
cj63 on May 16, 2016 07:08 PM
Foist on Icicle Ridge
I appreciate the report, I'm not commenting on that. I'm commenting on the gratuitous lecture you decided to tack onto your report. You also missed my point -- I think everyone should be polite and offer to yield when they can. Both directions. What's silly is ALWAYS demanding that one direction ALWAYS yield to the other. Downhill yielding to uphill makes even less sense.
Posted by:
Foist on May 16, 2016 07:11 PM
Foist on Icicle Ridge
P.S. I always try to yield when it's not too much trouble, no matter which direction I'm going.
Posted by:
Foist on May 16, 2016 07:12 PM
cj63 on Icicle Ridge
ironic, your "handle" name. I've read your trip reports, too.
Posted by:
cj63 on May 16, 2016 07:32 PM
Foist on Icicle Ridge
Uh, thanks?
Posted by:
Foist on May 16, 2016 07:38 PM
Foist on Icicle Ridge
P.S. I always try to yield when it's not too much trouble, no matter which direction I'm going.
Posted by:
Foist on May 16, 2016 07:12 PM
cj63 on Icicle Ridge
It works for the rules of the road. And it wasn't a lecture, it was a reminder. Maybe you missed the lectures in college? They were a bit longer. Everyone was very polite, it was a beautiful hike but there was a lack of basic situational awareness by many of the groups on the trail. I stand by my request that downhill WALKING groups offer to yield to uphill traffic. Such drama over a trip report that expressed my opinion and a request for respect and awareness.
Posted by:
cj63 on May 16, 2016 07:16 PM
cj63 on Icicle Ridge
Hiking Etiquette.docx
Posted by:
cj63 on May 16, 2016 08:26 PM
cj63 on Icicle Ridge
file on WTA page
Posted by:
cj63 on May 16, 2016 08:27 PM