The forecast called for showers and so I packed a rainjacket, but when we still had ten miles to go before the trailhead and the showers turned to snow, we called it. The temp had dropped twenty degrees and we weren't prepared for that cold. A few snow fields to cross, fine, but actively snowing, nahhhh. I'm over that :)

I might try this hike again in the warmer weather, though there were a lot of people at the shooting ranges and that's just something that doesn't mix well with hiking, for me. Some pretty campsites along the river though, and it was beautiful up there.

The road had a few places with fallen rocks but we were able to navigate around easily enough. Make sure you have the directions pulled up though, because it's not totally clear and nothing is marked.

Road is open, not closed. Directions are mostly correct. No hike name is at the start of the hike. Signs are lacking in general. It is illogical that people with dogs still collect the mess and preserve it in littered plastic bags, idiots, even here.

Great hike, perfect weather. Great views, 360 degree clear view, mountains in every direction, amazing.

Sounds of shooting everywhere, not good.

Trail hike was harder than I thought it was going to be, narrow trail.
Poles were handy going across the snow. Trail is sometimes hard to see when going across the snow. Quite busy. Lots of wild flowers.

Totally worth it, surprised me how good it was.

Did a quick overnight at the Fire Lookout with two other friends for the Memorial Day Weekend. The drive out of Enumclaw took about an hour and 15 mins to arrive at the trailhead. The roads are paved most of the way up, leaving a small gravel and dirt section 5 miles before the trailhead.

We arrived late Saturday evening loaded to bear with food and more than enough supplies in our backpacks as we knew this hike was very short. The trail was really easily, until about 3/4 of a mile in when it takes a very steep change in pace for about 1/2 a mile. Its after this steep section that you encounter the only snow on the entire trail, which was barely a hundred yards of really shallow and easily traverse-able snow. We were lucky to find that no on else had occupied the fire lookout, leaving us with a pristine and fully stocked home on top of the mountain essentially. I've been to a fair share of fire lookouts and this one was probably the nicest with enough room for 2 cots and a bed along with many other extra provisions that may come in handy for a hiker in need.

The weather was decently clear the whole length of trail, just until we reached the snow section. I don't know if its typical meteorological behavior but the fire lookout was doused within thick clouds for most of the night, having a few breaks here and their for pictures. It was only when the sun rose the next morning that it all burned off, making for a terrific, 360 degree panorama at the top. Highly recommended hike.

Went up for a sunset hike and it was gorgeous! Road is open and has some snowy patches and big potholes, but these are more annoyance than barrier at this point. Trail is mostly clear of snow except the section between the switchbacks ad the ridgeline. This part is tricky to find the trail at times and prime for postholing as it's melting quickly from underneath, making little rivulets over parts of the trail. We made it up without traction and with minimal GPS (although I really appreciated my decision to wear spikes on the way down!) The lookout is open, but with some shutters still closed. Be prepared for WIND at the top! Overall, a little challenging, but totally with it.