The balsamroot is past peak, but still stunning when viewed en masse. The lupine are at peak and they smell amazing. The hills are still green; they'll be brown in summer. Western meadowlarks were singing all over (I know this thanks to the Merlin app). You want to come at the very end of April to mid-May for the big flower show here. Since there is no shade and it's south facing, spring is the time to do it. Bring twice as much water as you think you need. There's no water source for dogs. In summer, forget it, unless at the crack of dawn.
The loop, which is relatively new, is terrific and the second half (going counterclockwise, as the arrows indicate that you should) seems only lightly used. Most people seem to go to the top (or some other point) then turn around. This is a gorgeous area and when the flowers are blooming, it's amazing from the start. You don't have to go to the top. Views get better as you climb and are 360 degrees at the top. Continuing the loop takes you down through a little bit of woods then through a big grassy meadow. It gives you really nice variety from the constant switchbacks through flowers on the way up. We didn't encounter a single other hiker on that second half of the loop; just a few polite mountain bikers.
One quibble with the hike description, above: don't just pull off anywhere and call it a lunch spot. The WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, the managing agency, asks you to stay on trail, and you'll trample flowers and ground nesting bird habitat if you go off trail. The WDFW also asks you to keep dogs leashed to protect ground nesting birds (most birds nest on the ground)--this is managed as a wildlife area.
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