I traded my hikeathon shirt today for a trail crew shirt and went back to work the Eight Mile trail reroute. The road going in, well, there was a Ford something or other sedan up there, so a regular car can make it, slowly. Don't be fooled by the first 2 miles, the rest is almost as rocky as the trail (before the reroute). There are several gravel filled dry stream bed crossings where the FS must have pulled out the culverts. Only one is a bit tricky because of the large dip on one side. Lots of potholes too and no loo at the TH. (Use the one at the Clear Creek campground before you start up) My old Forester did OK. The trailwork was a continuation of the switchback reroute bypassing the rock gully that was previously considered the trail. We ended up completing a crib wall that was started by a previous crew, and beginning some more benching and flattening of the new trail. This will make the lower section a bit easier to hike and more sustainable over the long run. And I hate to say it, cuz I really don't like crowded trails, but this one does need a bit more boots so it doesn't dissappear. Our trail crew hasn't touched the upper part, so I'm sure it's as gnarly as it ever was.  Help my hikeathon wta fundraiser for trailwork like this: give.wta.org/Muledeer100

The road to Eight-mile trail is in pretty decent shape, with the exception of a few dips lined with large rocks. Most vehicles can probably make it past them with care, but higher ground clearance will definitely make things easier. 

The first part of the trail winds through the trees and up into the Boulder Creek Wilderness. As you climb up, you start to encounter more large and old-growth trees and snags, especially past the wilderness boundary. The size of some of these specimens is impressive!

As you approach 3 O'clock Rock, you get sudden views of the valley and peaks all around. But the climb isn't done yet. The trail is easy to follow and well traveled as far as 3 O'clock Rock, but past the rock things get much more difficult. After skirting the bottom edge of the rock, keep a careful eye out for the trail among all the ferns and greenery. The trail climbs much more steeply as you re-enter the trees, with lots of root ladders and switchbacks. We encountered a couple here who had wandered off the trail and gotten lost. If you lose the trail, backtrack and look carefully for a switchback you may have missed. 

The trail also gets much muddier from here on out, with large patches of deep mud and no real good way around. I'd recommend waterproof shoes with good traction and ankle support, and was grateful for my boots.

On the pleasant side, wildflowers were out in abundance, especially once we got above the forest. There are many small streams running down the mountain as well, the water creating large, empty expanses of rock with no soil or vegetation. (It can be easy to lose the trail on these crossings, fortunately someone has placed rock piles to help find your way.) The water pools into small, clear ponds, with lots of frogs. And mosquitoes, bugs were out in abundance when we were up there. 

It's all worth it at the top, though, with beautiful views of Three Fingers, along with many other mountain peaks and valleys. 

Round trip hiking time for us was 4.5 hours. 

Thank you WTA for your hard work improving the road conditions as well as improving the first part of the trail! The road is in great shape minus 3 large washouts that have been filled with large rocks. We were in an SUV and cleared the 3 areas easily going through them slowly, we did however have to put our SUV in 4wd once to get enough grip to cross through the rocks when we stopped the vehicle in the middle of the washout. A car may be able to pass through with some maneuvering and going slowly.

The trail is a steep rocky and rooty climb but very doable.  Some parts of the trail are overgrown with vegetation but still easy to navigate.  Towards the top of the trail it gets slightly muddy but seems to be drying out, this is also where you will encounter some bugs, they were not too bothersome though. Once one arrives to the meadow the landscape changes to hiking over granite slabs with tarns scattered all throughout which makes for a fun change in scenery! The granite is wet with run off and there are lots of little creeks flowing over, slippery in areas but again very doable. Follow the cairns to the top where you are greeted with a majestic view! It took us a little over 2 hours to hike up at a comfortable pace and 2 hours down. Started at 740, lunch and pictures at the top, back to our car by 1200. Only passed one other couple who made it to the trail head in a small truck.  

Summing it up, this is a type-2 trail that leads to type-1 views and enjoyment.

The road is definitely in better shape than in the past. Recent work has done well to fill in some rough areas with stone. Careful driving in a 2wd vehicle will get you there.

Trail work done in very recent days (thank you!) relieves you of some of the cobbly old road stones as you head toward the climber's junction to 3 o'clock rock.

After that, the type 2 fun remains. You're on rocks, roots, or mud (or all three). Summer brush is invading, but nothing impassable. It's a grunt-climb, especially if you're carrying the weight of an overnight pack, but bear with it, it's worth it.

Plenty of mudholes and root climbs, but the trail is obvious. As you get nearer to the pass, the granite slabs begin to emerge, with still-plentiful water run-off to restock. Cairns guide you along the optimal route to the pass.

The huge granite slabs at the pass offer innumerable tent sites; please respect leave no trace principles and use rocks where tent stakes won't get purchase on the stone. Don't plant your tent on grass or heather.

Did some work with WTA in finishing the reroute of the original trail.  This future trail will be more gradual and will feature some switchbacks and reconnect with the old trail.  The projects we worked on were some regrading, rock work and building a wood crib.  The trail is looking good so far but still needs some finishing touches.  I'm not sure when this new trail will be open to the public.  Happy trails!

Freud Ian Slip