A quick report, crossed referenced with Boundary West, since there hasn't been one for while. I didn't do the loop, nor go far on Boundary. (I don't know if there is snow on Hummocks trail beyond the intersection with Boundary. I assume not, or at least not much.) The road is clear, Castle Lake viewpoint and Coldwater Lake are open, Elk Rock is not (though I met a snow plow in Kid Valley on my way home, and it was 60 degrees). Snow gone from the roadside after Castle Lake VP.

There was patchy snow on the trail in the alder copse on Boundary West. Not a problem. My turnaround point was just beyond the alders. A hiker reported a "large, deep" snowfield just before the trail starts up. He turned back. It was his first time on the trail. I met a group of women headed to JRO who were unconcerned by his report. :-)

Date: Sunday January 19, 2025

Location: Hummocks TH to JRO

Arrival Time: 9am

Number of cars upon arrival: 1.  It appeared to have been there overnight as the hood and windshield were frosty, however we did see anyone coming down as we headed up to JRO and the car was gone when we returned.  Maybe they hiked via the So Coldwater Trail?

Road conditions: Dry and clear except for a few shaded areas

Weather conditions: Sunny and cold. Light wind approaching and at JRO

Trail conditions: Good. Conditions ranged from dry dirt to ice crystals to snow cover.  On the return, the crystalized sections were muddy, as expected.  We packed snowshoes and micro spikes but never needed either.

One guy passed us on the way up.  He continued past JRO where we saw him putting on his snowshoes.  As we were departing JRO a couple with a dog arrived, they later ran past us.   We passed a small handful of people and one more dog heading up before we reached the Hummocks Trail again.  Once back on the Hummocks trail we passed a few more groups of people before hitting the parking lot.

**Of note, the outhouses that were at Coldwater Lake have been removed, and the actual restrooms there are still closed (due to vandalism damage). *The outhouses at the Hummocks TH had been removed previously as we noticed they were gone last time we were here (that was okay because the Coldwater VC was still open weekends at that time). They closed for the season the day after we were last here- so no entry to those restrooms).

Hike features: 360 views

Wildlife:   It was pretty quiet on the wildlife front. None of the usual elk but did spy several mountain goats below the viewpoint at JRO.

Number of cars upon return:13

Mileage: 9.5

My husband and I were able to squeeze in this hike on a misty day between heavier rain. It was great to get out! There was no snow or ice on the highway to the trailhead; just some snow beside the road at the high point. We saw a few elk closer to the Coldwater area. Most of the trail had no issues, but the lower part of the loop near the beaver ponds had muddy sections and one of about 20 feet where there was water over the trail. I was glad to be wearing waterproof boots. Also, there were some trees over the trail as we got near the parking lot, going clockwise. We were able to get past them without too much trouble. P.S. FYI, there are no bathroom facilities at Coldwater Lake or the Hummocks trailhead (thanks to the vandals), so be prepared!

For this short hike, we hiked down the Hummocks Trail and then about a mile down the Boundary Trail.  It was a perfect day, cool and clear other than some haze.  The trail itself is in great shape and not as busy now that we're decidedly into fall.  The port-a-potties at the trailhead are in good condition.

Why did the wooly bear caterpillar cross the trail?  There were wooly bear caterpillars everywhere on the Hummocks Trail!  We counted at least 15 between the trailhead and the intersection with the Boundary Trail, all quickly crawling along as if they had somewhere to be.  Afterword, I looked it up and apparently these little guys are currently looking for a place to hibernate so they can survive the winter.  Next spring they'll thaw out and become Isabella tiger moths.  So be sure to watch your step!

Experienced no problems.  The trail out is in good condition, more worn than the loop back to the trailhead, but easy to follow.  Three of us walked at a leisurely pace and took a little more than an hour.