Olallie State Park - Olallie Trail — Tuesday, Jun. 21, 2022

SUMMERTIME! We rang in the season with a 15-mile hike on the Olallie Trail, a multi-use trail mostly used by bikers. The trail ascends about 2300 feet (at least up to the 5th viewpoint) across 5.5 miles, on a well-graded trail through mixed, second and third growth forest. It's super green and healthy right now, with lush ferns and a surprising variety of wildflowers, especially on the upper reaches: trillium, lots of spring beauty and bleeding heart (still at their height here), some bear grass at the 5th viewpoint, bugbane, and herb Robert, foxglove and buttercup along the PTC--where we started at the Cedar Falls TH.

A shout out to Old Rod for his 2018 trail report! It's spot on re: trail description and switchback counts. We made it to the 5th viewpoint (see picture), which has a great view all across Sno Valley and the foothills, including Rattlesnake Mtn, Si, Teneriffe, Washington, etc. No snow. We saw a total of 10 people on Olallie today--8 bikers and two folks on foot. About 10 more bicyclists on the 2-mile stretch of the PTC. Bikers on the Olallie are courteous, but you will want to be alert to riders and ready to step aside. Wildlife today included about half a dozen little brown frogs, several large beetles, a chipmunk, and a banana slug giving birth (a slimy affair). Great hike for distance, training and peace. Happy and safe hiking, Everyone!