I took the day off from work and decided to do a hike rather than swelter in the city. Unfortunately completing chores before play resulted in leaving the trailhead shortly after noon. Given that the day was a weekday with temp in the 80’s few people were on the trail. I encountered only a dozen men and two women traveling alone, four couples, one mother with three teenagers and several unleashed (but well mannered) dogs.
The trail was in terrific shape except for a muddy slippery section below the summit that is still melting out. Unfortunately that area is quite trampled. It is difficult to travel through without making matters worse.
I traveled up ridge line through the boulders to the summit and took the trail through the mud back down. The boulders are a bit intimidating. They present plenty of opportunity slip down into crevices and get stuck or to stumble off into infinity. If you want to avoid that challenge, be sure to stay right as the trail braids up after the ponds.
The wild flowers are plentiful. Although the bear grass flowers are dried up in the lower sections there are plenty at higher elevations. The views are spectacular, although Mt. Rainier was largely obscured by haze. Small flies, bees and mosquitoes are ready to feast on you if you don’t use plenty of repellant. I used Jungle Juice lotion from REI. While they still came by to check me out, I escaped without any bites.
I highly recommend this hike although it would be more enjoyable on a cooler day given after the first hour there is almost no shade. Be sure to go on a weekday or early in the morning if you don’t want to be trampled by hordes of other hikers. Last time I hiked this trail on a weekend I was almost never out of sight of another hiker. I understand why it is so popular. The trail is well maintained (thanks to WTA), it is very easy to access, and the flowers and views are terrific. Go soon!
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