I was really impressed with this trail. The views were great, it was fun watching the fog roll over the top of the mountain. The switch backs throught the wildflowers provided for an enjoyable day. What really amazed me was the amount of litter on the trail. I only found one piece durring my hike, simply amazing!

We made it from Seattle (via Edmunds-Kingston ferry) to the trailhead in just under three hours. There were only a handful of cars at the trailhead. Crystal clear skies from the start of the hike. Good workout heading up through the switchbacks. Must pause for the incredible wild flowers. They are everywhere! Trail condition was fabulous and we made the summit in just over two hours. No snow. From the summit you can see Baker, Glacier, Rainier, Adams and St. Helens in one great panoramic shot. A few buzzing flies here and there but the light wind kept away any bites. No water at trailhead and two small streams on the way. If you have a weekday off and need a snowfree summit hike... this is it.

My husband and I met up with some of our hiking friends and set off for Mt. Townsend on this cloudy/foggy Sunday morning. By the time we drove up to the trailhead, we'd broken through the cloud barrier and were in the morning sun. A perfect and cool morning for hiking up the steep 20% grade of this trail. The trail gets down to business right away and eases up only briefly in the middle where the beautiful views, meadows, and wildflowers begin in profusion. The trail is in wonderful condition, making the slow slog up the hill easier on the feet. Once we got past the Silver Lake fork and began the final steep ascent up the hill, the fog began to surround us. We couldn't see the top of the mountain at all until we finally got up there. Most of the people up on the mountain seemed to have decided they just couldn't go any further and plopped down all in one place to have lunch. We walked a few hundred feet further and found a nice lunch spot all by ourselves. The fog swirled and shifted giving us good glimpses of the mountains across from us, but never totally opened up. The trip back down flies by given the beautiful tread of the trail. We were at the trailhead again before we knew it and headed off the mountain for our well-deserved dinner.

Wow. No wonder Mt. Townsend is such a popular hike. Wildflower heaven, view extravaganza. There were plenty of people on the trail to the summit; the day (26th)was extraordinarily sunny and warm. We were really overwhelmed by the view and flora. Cascades, the Sound, Seattle--it seemed the whole world was laid out like a map. Now--I mean right this very minute--is the time to enjoy those wildflowers--the variety is inspiring and they smell wonderful. The rhodies that grace the first mile or so of the trail and also the FS road are absolutely beautiful--they are just now brimming with buds and blooms. 3 miles or so of switchbacks and then our packs felt lighter once we passed the juncture for the Silver Lake/Mt. Townsend summit (.4 miles from the summit) and we hung a left to Silver Lake. From this point on we had the trail to ourselves, and we crossed over the ridge and floated down the mild switchbacks, across the ""river"" and up a few more meandering switchbacks to the lake. At the head of the lake there was a nice spot to camp, but the week-old remnants of a horse camp with some trash (just plain evil not to pack out trash on a horse!)and the aroma of horse-dung drew flies and drove us off, so we headed around the north side of the lake (there are two trails exposed right now--we took the upper to the camp-site) and found a perfect spot nestled in the trees with a view of the lake. Patches of snow melting fast...curious hummingbirds and many others out in abundance...spent two nights and had an easy hike out with the wind at our backs. Life is good!

Snow effectively all gone, apart from the usual small lingering patch at the bend where the trail makes its closest approach to Windy Lake. This creates no problem whatsoever. Flowers excellent, will probably be even better in a week or two. Some Glacier Lillies and Pasqueflower left. Rhodies nicely in bloom on the approach route, and barely beginning to bloom at the start of the trail. Trail in excellent shape - no blowdowns, etc.