The snow is almost gone from this steep, lovely day hike up Mt Rose, over Lake Cushman in the southeast Olympic National Forest. We counted exactly 3 level spots on this 3,500 foot climb. It is about 3 miles up to a lovely look out rock. From this point we were lucky enough to see Mt Rainer, Mt Adams and Mt St Helens, while gazing across the Olympics, Lake Cushman, the Hood Canal. Also we had views of Mt Eleanor, and Mt Washington. The very last 1/4 of a mile is through the 2006 Bear Gulch Fire and can be dangerous if the weather is wet or windy. Bear Grass and huckleberry in bloom. Trail is in great condtion and we would recommend this for those who would like a great strenuous day hike.

I took this hike thinking that if I was going to get paid for a day off (memorial day) I should do something that actually felt like work. I could not have picked a better day to hike this trail as the sun was out and it was just warm enough for a great hike. Mt Rose is a great day hike for those that think Mt Si as a day hike is too easy. The guild book I was using said from the start you gain elevation and it was not kidding. After a short walk across a stream the trail starts gaining elevation quickly. This is largely because you have 3500' of elevation to gain in about 3 miles (maybe this is why my trail book said it was one of the steepest hikes in the Olympics). There are benches for resting...in the first mile after that spots to rest are harder to find. Also as I got into the last mile of reaching the summit there was a still snow in spots to the point were I had to keep a eye out for the trail. Don't despair though this snow is only in the last mile of reaching the summit and just makes getting there take a little longer. Other then the snow the trail itself was in great shape with only one or two trees across the trail. For all this effort the views of Lake Cushmen and valleys of the Olympics is almost overwhelming. The view looks west into the south Olympics and it is truly worth the hike. As a side note as tough as the hike was I was surprised to there were a few teenagers and kids on the trail. It was actually kind of cool to see others taking on a tough hike.

I had heard about the closure on FR 24 to Staircase so I went to check what it meant for hiking Mt. Rose. The road is closed because of unstable hillsides caused by the '96 Bear Creek burn. The yellow gate is 1.5 miles past the Big Creek camp and just past the entrance to the Lake Cushman cabin community. There's a wide gravel strip to park in on the right. Mapping this was a great excuse for trying out my new, way-to-expensive GPS. Haha! It worked great so here are some stats. The road walk will add 2.8 miles rt and 120 ft gain out and 230 back. This part appears to be in good shape. I didn't see any signs of slides or loose rock. Recent rain made the hillside creeks dramatic waterfalls. One was 30 feet high and gushing a solid white torrent into the roadside ditch. A huge culvert carried the creek under road. Then it gushed furiously down the hill and into Lake Cushman. Aside from the water it was eerily quiet. Just me and the deer. At the trailhead entrance is a huge yellow warning sign about braving the slide zones further along FR 24 "rocks and trees can fall at anytime..". The slide zones are large and awe-inspiring in summer so use your head if you're thinking of Staircase trails. The Mount Rose trailhead and it's log bridges are in good shape. But the sanican is gone for the season. Since I was alone I didn't continue up the trail. This summer I saw the burn had cleared the upper part of the west (left) leg to the summit. It might be wise to stay off that now that rain has started to saturate the open hill side. Have a safe winter!

I love Mount Rose; unlike Mount Ellinor it is free from the hoards of Olympians. Sorry Olympians but I'm a hermit! Rose also gives a good workout and has a nice view. The view is getting nicer all the time as the fire killed trees fall. Looks like the December 3 storm wrecked havoc up on the summit but never fear the Mount Rose Trail Crew was here! Thanks to my heroes the Mount Rose Trail Crew! I did not have to crawl over under or around a single tree and I honestly can not remember the last time I hiked a trail without having to crawl over, under or around a tree. Another great thing about Mount Rose is all the saprophytic plants growing on it. I found Ground Cones and Ghost pipes. Orchids come out later in the year along with wooly chanterelles. I went up on Thursday spent 6 hours and 20 minutes on the trail. Saw 9 other hikers only 5 of them were summit bound though. I had the summit all to myself and took full advantage of it. But it was COLD the rain was moving in as I was heading down. I thought the wind might blow me off the summit. Mount Rose is so cute and so little that I almost feel like I can reach out and give it a hug when I am viewing it from dry creek or copper creek trails. No problems at all with this fine trail! http://mosswalks.blogspot.com for lots of nice pictures

No Snow!!!!!!!!!!!! This was a beautiful hike and a rare one with no snow this year. Gaining 1000 ft./mile, this is a steady climb through salal, Oregon grape and Douglas Fir, then into stands of cedar, an occasional tiger lily, and peek-a-boo glances at Lake Cushman. Moving through various zones, toward the top there is a hillside of brilliant red columbine, yarrow, paintbrush,.... At the top--lupine, beargrass, purple penstamon and I think avalanche lily. Yesterday the clouds and mist surrounded me, so I didn't get the views from the top. It was more of the experience of being incredibly present on the mountain. Two key things--apparently one of the group of men who built and maintained this trail for years died last week. There is a plaque in honor of those folks at the loop junction. I stopped and sent out thanks and honor to those great people. Second, the loop to the summit gives you an option of going left (clockwise) or right (counterclockwise). I took the left option, which seemed steeper. I was glad to have gone up the steeper part and come down the more gradual part, partly because of the slope, and partly for trailfinding. The trail is mostly clear and easy to follow, but there is a section through the burn at the top that was a bit sketchy. I felt more comfortable going up it (because I knew I was heading to the summit so I couldn't get lost) than down, where the options of direction become greater. I could be wrong on this because I didn't try it the other way, but... something to consider. At the bottom, a swim in the lake just can't be beat! Enjoy! This is a beautiful hike, a butt-burner, and one that my knees are paying for today. But it was well worth it!