Mount Rose — Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

This is an excellent hike for conditioning and views. The trail is steep over 3000 feet of elevation gain in 3.2 miles but with the reward of super views from the top. This hike is best done in cool sunny weather as elevation gain burns alot of calories producing sweat and a need to hydrate. Did this hike last year in the fog and could not make out any of the views (lots of work with little reward). This year could see Mt. Rainer, Copper Mt., Mt. Ellinor and others from the summit and summit ridge. Recommend doing the ridge trail down as there are some impressive views of Copper Mt., Puget Sound, and Mt. Rainer. Hiking time is advertised as 5 hours round trip and this has been my experience particulary with water and photography breaks. Trail is in excellent shape with numbers on first 24 switchbacks. Found that it took about 45 minutes from switcback 24 to trailhead going down.