Got to the trailhead by 7:30 am with plenty parking spaces. It was a nice and cool morning. Got hot very quick since the trail was rather steep. I chose the "difficult" path on the way up. Some wildflowers along the trail. Got to Puppy Dog Viewpoint with great view of the Gorge. Plenty arrowleaf balsamroot blooming with some Indian paintbrush just started to bloom. Higher up the arrowleaf balsamroot were not blooming yet. May take another 1-2 weeks. The last half mile was steep and no shape. Be sure to bring enough water and sunscreen. I went to the summit which was ~100 feet from the view area. The summit was brushes and no view. So, I went back to the view area and mingled with three Aussies! I came down the "more difficult" trail. The trail was nice with trees and good for jogging. Less people up this way as well. Met over 10 well behaved dogs on trail! Got back to the parking by 11:30 am. More cars but still several parking spaces.

From AllTrails: 6.4 miles 2838 feet elevation gain.

Showed up to the parking lot around 730 am with the lot about 10% full and shuttles starting to come in. Rangers at the trailhead checking all permits. The toilet is a small jaunt up the hill and was well stocked. Took a nap, made food, then started hiking around 930. Partial sun for the first half then it started clouding over above the first lookout; we were IN the actual cloud above that level. Extremely windy and socked in at the top, no balsamroot blooms, super chilly. I was very happy to have a jacket and face covering. Spent no time at the top due to the cold and made it back down in 3 hours round trip.
Overall the trail is in good condition and pretty through the trees. Just a bit early in this looong Spring to see the flowers.

I write this as a cautionary tale.  I hiked an hour and 45 minutes up this steep trail to about a half mile beyond the junction described in the trail description, about a 1500 ft. elevation gain . . . and turned around.  I was just too tired.  No views or wildflowers :(

Returning turned out to be hazardous, as my thigh muscles became progressively weaker, to where I could not stand without leaning on my hiking poles.  I sat/fell twice.  I don't believe I could have made it back to the parking lot without my poles.

I think of myself as in good shape for my age (83).  I exercise regularly and frequently walk/hike 2-3 miles.  I had thought I could hike up to the viewpoint.  I misjudged myself and the trail!  I tell this to forewarn others:  Be realistic about your abilities and take hiking poles!  I also encourage WTA to edit the trail description because of this concern.

Trail was in great, but slightly wet conditions and snow was gone.  Almost no wildflowers yet, probably still two weeks away.  

The hike description is inaccurate: there is an outhouse at the trailhead. Just walk up the small hill - it's visible from the parking lot.

Trail was snow-free!

Zero signs of any wildflowers appearing yet... Next weekend the permit requirements kick in for weekend visitors.

Not too muddy.

But boy oh boy was it WINDY, COLD and FOGGY up top! The wind nearly blew us off of our feet- so at least 30 mph+. Although it wasn't raining the wind blasted the wet fog into our clothes and packs so we were wet on the descent.

Every time I have done this hike the weather at the top has been significantly worse than the weather in the parking lot and lower down. Please come prepared with a jacket, hat, gloves- whatever you need to stay warm and dry.