Very smokey up there from the fires. The crowds and the outhouse are gone but lots of garbage remains. The Mount Rose trail crew cleaned it up a bit. Lots of pictures on my blog: http://mosswalks.blogspot.com/2012/09/smoked-out-on-mount-rose.html

Great hike on a gorgeous day without a cloud in the sky, but the mention of it being steep is not exaggerated. Although I arrived late at about 1pm, I was surprised to see the parking lot nearly full on a Friday, but found at least two groups of hikers who told me they were there because the trail on Mount Ellinor is still closed because of aggressive goats. Great views of Lake Cushman, Copper Mountain, and Mount Ellinor. Little in the way of wildlife except for a bunch of greedy gray jays at the summit looking for a handout - which they didn't get from me. For anyone climbing the first time I recommend the short part of the summit loop to the left for the ascent but the longer less steep part of the loop for the downhill leg.

A few weeks ago we headed back to the Olympic Peninsula to continue our exploration of the Mount Skokomish Wilderness. Last summer, our trek up to the Lake of Angels gave us a taste of the northern reaches of the Wilderness. This year, we decided to check out the southern portion of the wilderness by taking on Mt. Ellinor’s neglected neighbor Mt. Rose. We were hoping for more of the stunning vistas we found on the way to the Lake of Angels, and Mt. Rose did not disappoint. This is not an easy hike. Like most of the hikes in the Mount Skokomish Wilderness, the grade is steep and offers little respite along the way. However, thanks to a dedicated brigade of trail volunteers, this trail remains relatively clear of blowdowns and other trail damage. The group also continues to re-route the trail in an attempt to smooth out some of the steepest sections. Mt. Rose also makes an excellent alternative to Mt. Ellinor, as it receives a fraction of the traffic and offers a nearly identical experience. This hike is perfect for those looking for a challenge with rewarding views, searching for a new conditioning route, or heading to Mt. Ellinor and decide they want something a little different. Check out the full report at: http://www.hikingwithmybrother.com/2012/07/mount-rose-trail-814.html Nathan & Jer

This hike is *steep*. Highly recommend trekking poles. Got to the trailhead early AM. Did not pass anyone on the way up, passed several people on the way down. The trail is in great shape. A bit of mud in spots, and a couple of large trees to climb over. No mountain goats spotted. Lots of wildflowers in bloom. No snow.