We decided to E-bike to the South Puyallup Trail on the Westside Road with the destination being Emerald Ridge. I'd been there twice before and each time I've wondered if there was a way up the 400-foot knoll that is right between Emerald Ridge and the Mountain. We decided to give it a try.
The first half of the hike takes you to the Wonderland Trail on a section that was rerouted and rebuilt by WTA volunteers. It's a great trail. Once you reach the Wonderland you head up and the trail gets very rocky. It really slows you down on the way down. This section is currently filled with blooming Paintbrush and Lupine that are just getting ready to bloom.
The flowers are still just getting started on Emerald Ridge. No snow.
From there we crossed the moraine to the base of the knoll. It's a granite wall of big rocks but there is one obvious place the goats ascend. There is about 25 feet of low class 3 scrambling and we were on the meadow. Then just a 400-foot hike up the hill to the top. Lots of goat hair everywhere.
So if you've wondered like me if it's possible to get up there, it is.
And it's worth it.
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