I see there is another report for Jolly Mtn on this same day but wanted to add a few comments and share a couple pictures. The trail is open to motorcycles, and although I only saw 2 other hikers and their 4 legged companion, I did see 8 riders but not in any groups larger than 3. Because the trail is accessible to motorcyles, the 6 mile and 4000 ft elevation gain is fairly even throughout the hike with no major obstacles. Some accounts of the trail say the the crossing of Salmon la Sac Cr. at 3.5 miles can be hazardous but right now is just a small trickle and the only water on the entire route. There has been some trail work done and about 1 mile from the trailhead someone has managed to work their way down from one of the old logging roads with a small backhoe, widening the trail along the way for about 1/2 a mile. With the new trail work and a little help from the motorcycles the trail can be very dusty but the soft dirt makes for a little extra cushion on the descent. All the trail junctions are very clearly signed and leave no question as to which way you need to go. In the last mile there are a couple more sections where some more trail work has been done, adding some switchbacks to lessen the grade a little and bypass some of the more heavily eroded sections.
Great views from the top as far east as Ellensburg, north to the Stuart Range and Mt Daniel, west to Cooper and Waptus Lake, and south to Rainier.
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