I decided to cram a hike in before late afternoon plans on Tuesday so I headed up to the trailhead for Jolly arriving around 9pm Monday night. I slept in my car up FR 4315 near the sno-park lot and started up the trail around 3:45am with headlamp. Not being exactly sure where to begin because there were no trail signs for Jolly Mountain, I began on an unmarked trail behind the privy on Salmon La Sac Road that carried me over to the horse camp behind the picnic area.
The climb out of the horse camp was not as bad as I had thought it would be based on the previous guide description, not terribly steep and the trees were open enough to see the stars across the sky. Several road bed intersections clearly offered views I would get to see later on my way down. The only thing I would complain about is that the trail is full of loose rock, the kind we like to call ankle-busters in the trail maintenance biz.
It was still dark when I crossed the Salmon La Sac creek but the forest was starting to brighten as I passed the trail junction for Paris Creek. Not that there was much to see, this section was pretty much all trees. I was surprised at the small meadow before the ridge and it seems as though the switchbacks approaching the ridge are newer. A faint trail heading straight down the fall line is slowly being taken up by the vegetation thankfully.
The sun was just coming over Jolly Mountain as I hit the ridge and I put my puffy on as the wind was still cool at 7am. I had heard the sound of a motor bike as I arrived but it was silent as I began towards Jolly on the crest.
The views were amazing and although no one likes a burn area, I could see how it allowed for more panoramic sights. I could even see Mount Adams! I hadn't been on Jolly before but I've snowshoed Hex several times, it was interesting to look over from this perspective.
The trail junction signs were fire tinged and in my haste, I accidentally turned down the West Fork Teanaway for a few minutes because it looked to be heading towards Jolly. Oops.
Back up on the ridge, I really loved the viewpoint shortly after that looks out on the left to the route to Skookum Peak and into the Enchantments. So volcanic and sharp. I spotted the bikes I had heard earlier at the junction for Jolly Creek and continued on.
I arrived at the summit before 8:30 and enjoyed the views that go on and on. My early arrival meant I had it to myself, in fact the only evidence of other people I had for the whole day were the parked bikes down below. I found the summit marker on the other side of the stone shelter and attempted a few summit selfies. A work in progress...
The last miles out that I had walked up in the dark were exposed and hot on the way down and I was glad I had my umbrella for shade and enough water as I hiked out. I'm not sure I would hike this route to Jolly again because of the all the loose scree on the trail but it did make for a lovely solitary walk.
For more pictures and GAIA, see link below.
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