This report is to warn hikers that the logging companies will be spraying herbicide sometime between 17 Aug and 1 Sept. The Jupiter trail passes through the land that will be sprayed.

Just in case you wondered if anything had changed since April...the road still blocked 3.1 miles from Hwy 101, which is about 2.5 miles or so from the trailhead. We hiked up the road, and found the trailhead sign, and the trail switchbacking up. There was blowdown in the trees, but a few nice stretches of trail too. We came out of the trees to find fresh clear cut, which had obliterated the trail. At that point, we decided to abandon the trail, went up a short way, and got on the road (which is at the top of the clear cut) to the relay towers. At the top of the ridge, we walked west into Forest Service land. We looked around for the trail, but gave up and followed the road back to the car.

Tried to hike Mt Jupiter trail today to the snow level and didn't get very far due to a tremendous amount of blowdown. While the road to the trailhead is blocked for logging 3 miles from the trailhead that is not a difficult hike - even with a fairly heavy pack I was carrying for conditioning. The trail through the logged area was OK with just some minor washouts, but once I crossed into the Olympic National Forest, it was a disaster. For about 50 yards I had to kick through salal that just about covered the trail. But then it got really hard as blowdown after blowdown had me go offtrail to continue my hike. After making about a quarter mile in 45 minutes I threw in the towel and turned back. While the logging operations of the past two years have caused this trail to be little used, the tread is still in great shape. But with all the trees crossing the trail, I expect few will see the reportedly great views from Mt Jupiter during this upcoming hiking season.

Just a word to the wise that at least the Mt. Jupiter Trail route is closed at present because of logging. I received a message from a ranger indicating that it may in fact be closed for the season. We had planned on climbing Jupiter this past weekend, and drove several miles up the access road only to arrive at a locked gate with signs indicating that the trail was not accessible. So we diverted to Mt. Townsend (to the north) and enjoyed an amazing hike there instead!

On the warmest day of the year so far, my thinking was to gain a bit of elevation to avoid the heat a little, get some needed exercise, and explore a new hike. Two out of three's not bad - cooler temps were elusive. Road access is straight forward. Road's a bit rough due to coarse gravel but no potholes to speak of. Hit the trail a little before 9am with only one other car at trailhead. Once through the initial clearcut, the shade of the relatively level treed ridge traverse was most welcome. Though long, and considerably uphill in places, the trail is in good shape. Passed the few blow downs with ease. Encountered a couple of snow patches in final switchbacks within a half mile of the top that I worked over and around. Found an especially welcome cool breeze when emerging at the summit ridge, due to cool air blowing up the still very snowy north facing slopes, with snow on the ridge but off the trail. Enjoyed the summit views all around - beautiful - provides an unusual perspective of the eastern and central Olympics. Arrived on top a little after noon. Yes, the trip is long, dry, with 75% or more of the walking in the trees and pretty view less... but when it opens up up high, the final ridge walk and summit are sweet. By the way, I enjoyed one of the most impressive rhodie bloom-walks that I've ever seen. Timing is everything! No bugs this day