Mount Jupiter — Tuesday, Jun. 15, 2004

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

This is a great time to visit Mount Jupiter. The trail is completely clear of snow, and mile after mile of rhododendrons are in bloom! From US 101 along Hood Canal about a half-mile north of Duckabush, turn onto Mount Jupiter Road. After the pavement ends, the road is rough and forks often. The correct fork is either obvious or posted, except for the last one, where you want to bear left. (Some kind soul has hung a red flag from a tree, but it may not be there by the time you read this.) The trail begins with a half-dozen steep switchbacks decorated with hundreds of blooming rhododendrons. After about 3/4 mile, the trail reaches the ridge top and levels off. The miles roll by easily as the trail follows the narrow forested ridge. Patches of Canadian dogwood carpet the ground. At about three miles, take a break on a rocky promontory and enjoy the view of The Brothers, still draped with snow. To the southwest, Mount Rainier rises beyond the green valley of the Duckabush and Hood Canal. Mounts Adams and Saint Helens are also visible. Back on the trail, another shy mile takes you to the posted boundary of The Brothers Wilderness. Now the fun begins. The trail steepens, and soon you emerge from the forest. Wildflowers abound. Perhaps, as I did, you will have the pants scared off you when a grouse explodes at your feet. The last mile is very steep and rocky. Shade is scarce. Good thing you got an early start. False summits appear and tantalize. Finally, abruptly, seven-plus miles from the start, you run out of up. What a view! Hood Canal and Puget Sound are spread out before you like a map. The Brothers and Mount Constance are next-door neighbors. All your favorite volcanoes dot the horizon. Maybe you can even see your house. I have a special fondness for Mount Jupiter, because it’s the only peak I have been atop that I can also see out my living room window. Unfortunately, from Federal Way, Mount Jupiter appears an insignificant knoll, so it’s hard to impress guests with tales of conquering it. Bugs were not a problem on this hike, except for the yellow jacket that stung me at the summit. I think he was after my peanut butter sandwich.