Had an amazing time hiking this trail for the first time. This was my first time back on the trails after a few years of minimal physical activity following Achilles surgery, and it was the perfect balance of challenge, reward, and easing my leg back into hiking. So if you're like me and you're looking for something relatively short with safe trail conditions, but more challenging than Rattlesnake Ledge, this could be a good option for you.

Hiked on a Tuesday around midday, so only ran into 7 individuals/small groups during the whole hike. Even had the beautiful summit view to myself for about a half-hour! Trail conditions were great - only a few marshy patches from the rains last week and no fallen trees blocking the trail (other than one that makes a nice archway leading into the final half-mile).

Bugs left me alone for the most part. Ran into some large flies (horseflies?) where the switchbacks first level off and then what looked like flying ants at the summit, but all of these insects mostly left me alone. Don't be alarmed if you hear gunshots - there must be an unmarked shooting range near the bottom of the mountain (I drove by it with my windows rolled down and could clearly hear gunfire). It wasn't that loud and I don't mind guns, it was just so close to perfect at the summit that it was a minor bummer to have the peace interrupted by gunfire.

Road conditions are much improved. On my way up, I happened to be following the bulldozer/tractor that was regrading the dirt road. Aside from a few rocky patches near the top and some speed-bump-sized potholes, the majority of the dirt road is in better shape than many Seattle streets. I had no problems in my Subaru Forester, but I would still recommend caution and slow speeds if you're going to attempt this in the Mercedes C Class or Prius I saw in previous trail reports.

Had an amazing time hiking this trail for the first time. This was my first time back on the trails after a few years of minimal physical activity following Achilles surgery, and it was the perfect balance of challenge, reward, and easing my leg back into hiking. So if you're like me and you're looking for something relatively short with safe trail conditions, but more challenging than Rattlesnake Ledge, this could be a good option for you.

Hiked on a Tuesday around midday, so only ran into 7 individuals/small groups during the whole hike. Even had the beautiful summit view to myself for about a half-hour! Trail conditions were great - only a few marshy patches from the rains last week and no fallen trees blocking the trail (other than one that makes a nice archway leading into the final half-mile).

Bugs left me alone for the most part. Ran into some large flies (horseflies?) where the switchbacks first level off and then what looked like flying ants at the summit, but all of these insects mostly left me alone. Don't be alarmed if you hear gunshots - there must be an unmarked shooting range near the bottom of the mountain (I drove by it with my windows rolled down and could clearly hear gunfire). It wasn't that loud and I don't mind guns, it was just so close to perfect at the summit that it was a minor bummer to have the peace interrupted by gunfire.

Road conditions are much improved. On my way up, I happened to be following the bulldozer/tractor that was regrading the dirt road. Aside from a few rocky patches near the top and some speed-bump-sized potholes, the majority of the dirt road is in better shape than many Seattle streets. I had no problems in my Subaru Forester, but I would still recommend caution and slow speeds if you're going to attempt this in the Mercedes C Class or Prius I saw in previous trail reports.

Great hike w/ rewarding views. Road conditions are rough. We made it w/ a Subaru Outback 2017 and never decked but I was happy when we were down again.

This was a new trail for us - great views from the top.  Probably some of the best views I've seen of Rainier from a sub-5/6 mile hike.  Similar to the Red Top lookout.

We arrived at 7:30am on a Sunday at the trailhead and were the first car there.  Didn't see another person the whole way up until someone caught us right at the summit.  Saw about 10 groups on the way back down, about 50% mask-wearers.  Parts of the trail are pretty narrow but we were mostly able to keep 6 feet of distance with a little work.

The road to the trailhead is no joke.  We have an AWD Toyota Highlander and made it through, but the two or three big rock fields in the road definitely had me worried we were going to bottom out or pop a tire.  I wouldn't even try going past that first rockfield in a sedan - that's where most cars were parking, and that area was very crowded by the time we came back down around 11am.

Based on trip reports, I parked my low-clearance wagon about a mile and a half from the trailhead. I probably could have gone farther, but the road was super pothole-ridden and I didn't mind the extra legwork - plus it put my mind at ease. The trailhead is a numbered post on the right-hand side, easy to not notice right away.

I didn't see a soul until I was over halfway, there was one family coming down. I took my time at the top - it was gorgeous and super clear. Two more pairs were ascending as I was starting my way down. Another family was starting the trail when I was exiting.

Sadly, I was the only one with a mask. The trail is narrow enough where you cannot socially distance effectively, so friendly reminder pull one up to be respectful of your fellow hikers.

Otherwise, about 45 minutes up, 30 minutes down trail proper, then whatever time it took to go to the car and back. It's a class switchback grind up, but the views are worth it.