The trail is in excellent condition, wide enough to drive a bus through in places. After an initial elevation gain of 700 feet via 6 or 7 switchbacks, the trail make a long gentle traverse west to Mt. Jupiter. The tread is easy and the miles go by relatively quckly. Except for an occasional glimpse, views of the surrounding mountains are obscured by the trees. There is lots of snow at the top. If you plan to climb to the summit, a pair of snow shoes would be handy to take along, at least for the next few weeks. There is no water on this trail until you reach the snow. This would be a long hot hike on a sunny, warm day. The views from the top are spectacular. The view east, back along the ridge, makes you feel like you hiked a lot further than 7 miles. The Rhody's should be blooming in about two weeks.

Mt. Jupiter is about six miles off of Hwy 101 on Mt. Jupiter Road, it is 14 miles round trip and 3750’ to the summit. There is a gate a few miles from the trail head that is closed May 1 through October 1. This is a very well maintained trail with steep sections. On this day the trail was dry and clear. This was my first trip to the Olympic Peninsula and the thing that impressed me most was the Rhododendron under shrubbery which is prevalent in the foothills in this area. There were not in bloom yet but that alone would warrant another trip later in the year. Most of the trail is in thick forested areas with an occasional view point. After five miles in you reach the Brothers Wilderness and after that the trail opens up the views of the surrounding mountains and past Hood Canal. Now the climb gets a bit steeper and the trail gets a bit thinner to the summit. At about 1 mile from the summit the snow is covering the trail and at this point I decided not to do a snow scramble and headed back to the trail head. I would recommend Mt. Jupiter for a day hike or a backpack trip.

Last time I did Jupiter it was in a fog, and each time I arrived below an outcropping, I assumed I was at the summit...only to find there was more to go! Today - it was just the opposite. All mountains around were in full view, making this one of the best hikes I have done in a while. After driving up the dirt roads that are well signed to the trail head, we started on the trail at 9:30, and enjoyed the first five miles drapped in shadows of trees above the trail. As we broke into the sun, the summit came into view - and the path which had seemed so strange and long in fog, was fast and fun in the sun. Switchbacks up the last mile as we gained a thousand feet in elevation...marveling at the views around us - and the valleys below. Once on top, the weather was perfect, a slight breeze to stay cool, full sun to stay warm - after an hour there we headed back down, a quick three hour jaunt. The only strange part of the whole trip was the random roll of toilet paper about 500 yards from the beginning of the trail - who knows, bears????

Mt. Jupiter is a near six thousand foot peak almost due west of Seattle. The views of the Olympics, the entire Puget Sound, and all of the Cascade volcanoes are unsurpassed. This is a good, long, though a bit hot, Hike. When the rhodies are out, upgrade it to a true classic. The lower elevation rhodies are finished, but the higher elevation ones are still in full bloom, albeit on smaller plants. The higher elevations are also in full wildflower bloom making this near the end of the great season for this hike. The distance to the peak is 7 miles, 14 round trip - with the final mile or two being very steep and very hot. The first five miles are cool and have a few short steep sections, otherwise a great cruising trail. There are a few up and down sections, but only one is of any note, probably less than 500 feet - a good break going both up and down. There are still a few snow patches near the summit, which will probably last as long as the flowers - 2 weeks? You will probably want to refill with these, even if you bring a full set of water bottles. Starting early on this one is a good idea too - certainly no later than 11:00. The drive is 3 hours from I-90 via either Olympia or the Narrows Bridge (and Allyn/Belfair/Union - take a map for this route). The Narrows bridge route is a worthy drive, in and of itself. Approaches from the Ferries of Bremerton, Bainbridge, and Port Townsend probably have similiar times, though Port Townsend is probably the quickest if you live up North. The trail is well maintained, one no-problem blowdown does remain.

Was surprised to find only one car at the Mt Jupiter trailhead but guessed that the low clouds kept everyone away. No long distance views because of the cloud cover and rain but the rhodies are in full bloom and are incredible! Not too many below 3000' but once above 3000' they literally line the trail the entire way. Lots of other flowers in the rocky areas after the wilderness boundry line at 5 miles. Can't wait to go again soon to see the flowers in full bloom and hopefully a view of something other than clouds. Road to trailhead is a bit bumpy but it looks like it's recently been graded. Trail is in excellent condition. With the vast views and the flower displays if this trail isn't on your list of ""must do"" than it should be.