Mount Jupiter — Friday, May. 5, 2000

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

Road off Highway 101 was paved for a short distance but unmarked. It is across from Cormorant Way. Road intersections were generally well marked with Mt. Jupiter trail signs. Last intersection only has a NF trail parking pass sign. Take the left fork of the ""Y"", more or less straight ahead. The road is through open clear cut except for the last 100 yards or so. Parking area is a wide spot in woods just before side road J1150. Trail head is about 100 yards ahead. Road is rough and rocky in a few places. Trailhead is at 2000'. The trail switchbacks up 7 times to 2800'. A steady but not too steep of a climb. The trail is well maintained and in good condition. From 2800' the trail traverses gradually up along the south side of the ridge to 3100' and obtains the ridge crest. It then follows the crest, more or less, up to 3200' where it traverses along the north side of a hill. It then works it's way up and down along the crest to a low point at 3000'. From there it climbs steadily to 3400' and swings around to the north side of a hill. It traverses along the north side of this hill 100'-200' below the crest. Continuing along the ridge there is a nice view outcrop further along with easy access off the trail. From here the trail traverses the south side of a hill for a ways and then starts climbing with switchbacks to 3800' and signs for the wilderness boundary. I went about 1/3 mile further to 4100' and a point with easy access to the ridge crest and views. Visibility was limited due to clouds and snow showers. From what I could see of the ridge to the west, it looked quite rocky and still had quite a bit of snow. From the topo map, I was probably looking at the 5000' section of the ridge and Mt. Jupiter. The trail to this point had been snow free except for a few patches on the north slopes. I went back to the rocky outcrop at 3400' and enjoyed lunch in the sun while it was still snowing a mile west up the trail.