There are 28 trees across this trail following the wind storm last month.  We cleared a couple hundred limbs and branches from the trail.  Snow at 1400 ft.  If warm, snow from tree crowns will melt and fall like rain. Lot of salal over parts. We got wet. Six inches snow on top. We used micro spikes coming down. 

What a beautiful hike! So many beautiful vine maples and shrubs with berries. The fall colors aren’t out yet but this will be an incredible hike when they are. The trail is overgrown with Salal and since it was raining it made for a very wet day. Highly recommend rain pants and boots instead of tenny’s. Otherwise a challenging and rewarding stroll. 

There are times when this world we live in really brings me down. Vandalism is inexcusable. Why is it that people need to destroy nice things for no apparent gain to themselves? Kloshe Nanitch was a D-6 Cupola type fire lookout. It was built by the Forest Service in 1917, served as an advanced warning station during WWII. Despite being destroyed in the 60s a replica was constructed in 1995. Sadly, in 2012, it was removed due to ongoing vandalism issues.

The views remain however, and they are grand. The Sol Duc River below and the snow clad mountains of the Olmpics, along with miles and miles of rolling green carpet.

We cheated in our approach to summiting Kloshe Nanitch and it's neighbor, North Point. The trail leaves the valley floor gaining 2200' to the ridge line. It has two short spurs going to each of the summits (Kloshe Nanitch and North Point). As I said, we cheated. FS road 3040 departs from the Snider Work Center on an unmarked road. It is steep, windy, and narrow. This road is no joke although virtually any car could make it to the top. It has many long sections of steep grades with absolutely no room to pass an oncoming car. Be forewarned:)

From the small parking area at KN the walk up to the platform (where the lookout sat) is suitable for most anybody. The views are grand and there were many wildflowers. There is even a vault toilet and picnic table. The "loop" trail departs from this lot as well. It is infrequently used but in great shape. Initially it drops ~250' through cliffs, flowers, and stunted trees. At a junction turn left onto what is now signed as the 'Lookout Loop' trail. This very infrequently used trail contours eastward about 3/4 of a mile. A left hand spur takes you up to North Point. This old fire lookout has been repurposed as a communications tower building. The views are not good as the trees have grown back up. One can return the way you came or make a loop by taking the well graded road back to your car.

Each trail had very different conditions, so here's my breakdown for each. 

Kloshe Nanitch was overgrown for most of the trek and becoming very narrow in sections as the sides are slowly washing out. Was difficult to use poles due to growth and trail width. Lookout view was beautiful.

Snider Ridge was overgrown to the point of being nearly impassable and unidentifiable. Trees growing in the middle of the trail, chest-high bushes completely obscuring it. If I didn't have GAIA to confirm I was directly on path and heading correct direction, I would've turned around at multiple points. I don't recommend attempting it without pants and GPS navigation. All that said, the views this trail offered were AMAZING.

Mount Muller was great. Well-maintained, beautiful views.

I started from the Kloshe Nanitch TH and planned to traverse across to Mount Muller and return the way I came. After finishing Snider Ridge, I had no desire to tackle that trail again and returned by running/walking along 101 instead.