Just a Hiker, The Warrior Princess and I decided to check out the new trail on Mt. Washington. The weather was damp and foggy but that did not deter us from our mission. At the turn off to the usual way you keep straight and cross the creek soon after. After that the route follows old logging roadbeds until the pond. We went right to check out the trail up the North Ridge. It was relatively easy to find. Just take the left fork whenever there is a choice. There are no signs as apparently the DNR has removed them. The track goes directly up the north ridge until it intersects a new section of official trail. Then you take this to the summit. When it hits an old logging road, goe straight across and keep heading up. This hits the old final ridge trail just below the summit. On the way down we took the new official trail. It is really quite nice. Just before the pond there is a large stile. I am not sure what or who it is to prevent from continuing, but it looks nice. The lower section is its usual rocky self. It started to clear as we neared the bottom and the warrior princess was whining that we should have started later to get good weather on the summit. However as we were driving away the summit was still encased in mists.

Well, I won't belabor the hike description but suggest the weather was just short of miserable. The NEW new trail (right at the pond) referred to by Madden is still essentially a boot-beaten tread going up the ridge and in places the ""steps"" are barely kicked into the slope. Views - non-existent. A view of mossy rocks and logs and, yes, perhaps a glimpse of a view at Owl Viewpoint. Estimated 3,300 feet and about 9 miles with the bottom pretty darn rocky.

I know there's been a few other write up reports for this hike but I thought I'd just add that this new trail up Mt. Washington is great (and thanks to those writing other recent reports for the information). To be hiking in early November snow-free is also nice. I only encountered a patch of frost here and there near the summit. I met a retired-aged couple on summit area that had hiked the ""old trail"". They had hiked it multiple times in the past and really enjoy it. I told them that it was my first time on this peak and they urged me to try the old trail back. I was a bit short on time today but may try it in the future. They asked me about the new trail and I told them they should try it (they did not). You can see the ridge to the east where the old trail goes on. Views at the true summit of Washington are to the north, Mt. Baker and partial Glacier Peak view as well as the I90 corridor. From a point just below the summit that's more out in the open and a nice panoramic view (and a great lunch spot) you can see Rainier, points far to the west, etc. McClellan Butte is the closest peak to the east. None of the nearby peaks appeared to have much, if any, snow yet. I'm sure that will change soon. I bid the couple goodbye and assumed their spot for lunch. It felt great to bask in some sunshine. I met 4 people coming up the trail on my way down. Some were just going to the Owl Hikers Spot. Kudos to whomever constructed and/or is maintaining this trail. A nice hike fairly close to the greater Seattle metro area. Get out & check it out!

~ On Saturday, 6 of us took a trip up Mt Washington in the Cascades just out of North Bend) Although it was cold when we hit the trail at 8:30 AM, we quickly warmed up when we started our steady ascent up the trail, After a brief rest, snack and water break at the Owl Spot we found ourselves at the junction where white arrows on a tree pointed us to the “new” or “old’ trail. After checking our topo maps and making a few guesses as to what lines the new trail might follow, we opted for it. That is one AWESOME trail. The weather was spectacular, with great views and an only slighty hazy appearance of Mt Rainier (and we could see all the other big peaks to the North). We were able to strip of jackets and long sleeves and bask in the sun for a bit before heading down. There was only a tiny bit of snow the last few feet of the ascent, other than that, the trail was clear the entire way. It was an awesome day to be on the mountain! We headed back down at about 12:30 still enjoying the sunshine. There was still frost in some shaded area of the new trail and a couple of us tooks a few minor slips and slides. There are some great fungi and musrooms to take pictures of on the lower portions of the trail. Pictures are available here: http://www.wildcelticrose.net/lisasplace/mtwashington1007.html ~L

Had only time for a short hike.Also wanted to find out about snow line. Driving I-90 gave me an early answer.Both Si and Mailbox had their snowcaps on.Weather : rain sleet and snow,...reversed order going down. First part of trail covered with fallen leaves.This made the trail nicer and softer. Snow started shortly after crossing the creek.By the time I reached the pond and loglanding it had increased to 2 inches.I had a turn-around time which only allowed me to hike up to the point where Paul's steep trail joins the new trail.Snow depth 6 inches. Met 4 people.Hikers are nice people.4 cars in lot.Trail easy to follow the whole way. 7? miles R/T