Awesome, awesome trail! I definitely underestimated the challenge of the hike especially from pool of the winds to Hamilton Summit. The rock steps and semi precipitous scrambles could be vertigo inducing for some and I definitely wouldn't recommend coming down Hamilton as it would be easy to slip or trip if not paying attention. From pool of the winds to the top carrying my son in the pack I got pretty hot and starting at 8:20 AM on the trail mitigated what could have been a particularly hot climb. The peekaboo views of Adams and Hood made for a satisfying payoff to the hike. Paintbrush, and chocolate lilies were abundant towards the top along with Trilium in the forest and phlox along the balsalt cliffs. The flower show is pretty spectacular about a half mile below the summit.
We took the Hardy Creek Trail back to the trailhead making a loop. The lower trail was lovely as well. A shorter hike to pool of the winds is also a great option if you have limited time. The Beacon Rock Trail and Hamilton Mountain Trail along with Cape Horn the day before made for a great short gorge exploration. The saddle past the summit along the ridge is an awesome lunch spot and there is a nice picnic table at the cutoff for the Hardy Creek Trail. Didn't find any ticks but heard some reports of some.
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