This hike is so close to Seattle, in Olallie State Park right off of exit 38. We got our Discover Pass at REI ($30) before heading out. We found the trail easily, it is a well-maintained trail although it is not marked. Hiking up the trail, we saw trillium, scouler's corydalis, bleeding heart, and yellow wood violet in bloom. We report no rattlesnakes, but we did see a cute wee garter snake slinking off. The trail climbed for two miles across easy footing, not a lot of roots and gravel pits to negotiate. We climbed up through a new forest past some sport climbers hauling themselves up rock faces. The hike is very pleasant and after two miles you come to an obvious lunch spot with great views. We turned around at this spot after resting- if you continue up, you will encounter snow and the hikers we saw going past this viewpoint had snowshoes slung over their shoulders. This was an easy, pleasant hike-- this would be a great after work hike.

What a great hike. This was my first hike to Mount Washington. And what a treat!!! Trail is very well maintained. I followed Anchetas'86 directions on finding the "unmarked trail", and it was very helpful. Trail is in great shape, its dry. There were no traces of snow. A few bugs here and there, but nothing too bad. I really recommed this hike. We did it late in the evening after work. I needed a mid week hike fix, and this was it...

Pretty standard Spring hike. Never done this trail before but was just doing some exploring with my choco lab Ellie. Trail is in pretty good condition for the most part, however there is a creek that is running pretty high right now with all the snow runoff. Was able to cross just to the left of the trail on the ascent by stepping on some exposed rocks. Still very slippery so I would not recommend it if you are traveling with any more than a day pack. Just after the stream crossing there is still a lot of snow on the trail, however there are plenty of footprints showing the path. Wasn't able to make it all the way to the top because I started pretty late but still got a nice view before headed back down. Some of the flowers in the lower elevations are starting to bloom and I bet by next week they will be gorgeous!

Lots of snow and it is the mushy melting kind, at least when the temperature is in the 60's and 70's. Up until the snow, the trail is generally its stony self climbing relentlessly to the first junction with the little wood sign on the tree at about 1.5 miles. From there to the Owl Lookout the trail is in a little better shape. Patches of snow begin at the second junction between the Mt. Washington trail and the Great Wall trail. Snow starts in earnest after the two water crossings. At this point I put on my trax and gaiters. Snowshoes would have been appropriate as well. The path through the snow is well tramped down up to the scree field. From there folks have kick stepped straight up to meet the trail above. Once the road is reached, most hikers have kick stepped their way straight up to the peak. We did, but chose not to come down that way. It was tricky in any event to make our way down the snow slopes which were rapidly melting in the afternoon sun.

Overcast and about 58 degrees at the trailhead. The Mt. Washington trail up to the Great Wall turn off was in great shape, minimal mud / water in the trail with a couple of minor patches of snow. At the Great Wall turn off, there was considerable water over the trail and large snow patches. Within a quarter mile of the turn, the trail was now totally covered in snow. The snow was very stable, firm and required no special footware (ok, I wouldn't recommend tennis shoes). By the time we got to the NF-350 road there was 4' - 5' of snow on the trail/road. We went about a 1/4 mile each direction on the road, then turned around and came back. I would expect winter to be here for at least another 2 - 3 weeks unless we get some real heat...