This hike is all about the views! I had no idea...
With all the crazy snowy weather lately, I was just hoping to get in some good gain without having to trudge through too much snow. What I got was an open, airy hike from the get-go with spectacular views of snow-capped peaks revealing themselves the higher I went. There was definitely some snow-hiking at the end, but super worth it!
The lower half of the hike is bursting in fall color right now, and coupled with the continuous mountain views, is beautiful. There’s even a nice grove of larches pre-peak along trail.
Intermittent snow begins about 5,300’, and by 5,600' is continuous on trail. The views really explode when you gain the ridge at the Sasse Mountain Trail Junction. This is a great stopping point if you don’t want to hike through too much snow. The views are amazing, and there are nice open areas to wander and check things out.
This last 2-mile section of trail is stunning as you hike along a mellow open ridge with non-stop views of snow-capped peaks. Lemahs, Chimney Rock, Summit Chief, Bears Breast, Hinman, Daniel, Glacier, Hawkins, Stuart, and many more... The mountain landscape is particularly striking right now as all the peaks are distinctly bisected with wintry snows on top, and rich fall color below.
The snow on the ridge got progressively deeper, and was about a foot deep in spots for the last half mile or so to the summit. It was never steep or exposed, and I was just fine in hiking boots alone.
I ran into a group of about 6 motorcyclists on the ridge, but saw no other hikers. Pretty surprised for a sunny Saturday.
Road/camp closure notes: I had originally planned on driving up Forest Road 4315, which tops out at 5,000’, and then was going to hike out to Skookum Peak and the Louvre. But 4315 is now gated for the season about 2.5 miles in. So, I went down to the main Jolly Mountain trailhead instead. The trailhead is at the back of the horse camp (noted in the WTA description), which is now closed and gated as well. However, there’s parking in the day use area lot just out front. Only adds another 1/2 mile or so RT to the hike.
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