The trail is snow free and well maintained. There is some smaller blowdowns on the ridge trail but nothing serious. I recommend trekking/ski poles for this one, mine came in handy-this is a steep one and a knee killer on the way down. In the words of our great statesman, D. Rumsfeld, ""a long, hard slog."" It was foggy when we reached the summit but we could see the lake nicely and spied Lightening Peak and Hood Canal a couple of times. Lots of huckleberries to come in july......some nice waterfalls supplied plenty of water for my dog.

Needing to get some early season mles and elevation gain in, I watched for a favorable (cloudy but no rain) weather forecast, combined with an opportunity for a day away from the grind. I got a leisurely start from Olympia, arriving at the trailhead at 10am. Two other cars in lot. Planned to do a clockwise loop trip over the top. The lower part of the trail to the junction is in excellent shape, with no blowdowns or obstacles. A distance above the junction, I encountered considerable snow (in the high basin), but clear above. Trail was straightforward but one must pay close attention as the continually uphill trail is faint in places. After lunching on top, I descended down the ridgeline to the NE and found patchy snow that continued somewhat down into the basin. Less snow on this side than on the way up the other side. I found only a few step-over blow-downs on the upper parts of the trail, and water accessible at numerous places. NO bugs yet! Great workout. PS - I appear to have left my little 2M Olympus digicam along the upper ridge... If anyone comes across it, please let me know.

Good early Spring conditioner. The trail is good shape up to Horse Camp and beyond until about 2500' where snow begins in earnest. Chose the ridge loop for the ascent, following the diamond blazes (sometimes covered by snow drift) until the ridge was obtained. Snow shoes are an absolute must since at least two feet of new snow had blanketed the slopes from the previous week. The snow made for some strenuous work breaking trail but also had created some amazing sculpture atop the silver firs which made all effort worth it. Following the ridge south, Copper Mt. made its appearance, as did a partially obscured Mt.Ellinor to the East. The final rocky pitch to the true summit was engulfed in ice and snow and (at least to me)only an idiot would try to scramble it at this point.

Went up Mount Rose with a few friends on Monday. It was us and a few mushroom pickers, fewer mushrooms. Trailhead 840 feet. About 6.5 miles round trip and 3500 feet elevation gain. Strenuous, steep all the way - expect a workout in the tall trees! There are a couple of nice rest spots with views on clear days. The trail crew has numbered the major switch backs up to Horse Camp at 3100 feet. Look for zinc roofing nails. (Horses not allowed, dogs OK, why Horse Camp?) The trail was in great shape most of the way with only a few blowdowns in the first half. At Horse Camp two of us took the left fork and two went right. The left fork is shorter and steeper. A few patches of steep loose gravel and small washouts. Nice out crops and a small stream near 3800 feet. Got to the top, 4320~, 3.5 hours. The trail has a saddle where several can fit to eat lunch. Our friends came up the east ridge. You can scramble out on the rock at the peak. Room for two. Views across Lake Cushman, the Hood Canal, and narrow slice of the Cascades, possibly White Pass on a clear day. Watch out, steep drop on three sides and some tricky footing if you're stiff like me. We all went down the east ridge. Easier footing, better views - Copper Mt and Mt Elinor. Nice loop through open old forest back to Horse Camp. The steep trail down got to my aging knees. Ibuprofen was good. Those knee braces at home might be better. Admired the view spots on the way down. 2.5 hours down to the car. 2 days sore quads. Has to help for XC ski this year. Could do this regular and get stronger and watch the seasons change. Right. Strong wind storm has been through since so blow downs and washouts could be worse.

Did a mid-day walk up Mt Rose with a freind on the summit route. Weather was warm and summery already. Only needed a jacket in the shade of Horse Camp or out in the breeze. Trail has been nicely maintained up to the falls. The trail is in good shape, but steep and rocky in some spots above the falls. Trail gains 3,500 feet in 3+ miles. We found a snow pack at 4,000 feet. Consolidated and slippery. The snow stops about 100 feet below the summit. Bugs not too bad - watchout for ticks. The summit is a small rocky out crop with room for only a few and a long sheer drop. Great 180 view of SW Washington. On a clear day the view sweeps from Copper and Oneil in the west around to Rainier in the east. Wild life included merlin, blue grouse, bewicks wren, and a plump striped garter snake. Nice bunches of calypso orchids, yellow violets, and pink western starflowers. Next goal is to let the snow melt and do a loop on the summit and ridge routes.