Lovely, hot day, this was a solo trail run. Started just before 9:00 AM. The trail was uncrowded, passed only a few people. The first section after the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is quite rocky with softball sized rocks but the trail becomes more manageable quickly. Mostly shaded with just a few patches of unprotected sun. There were a few mosquitos at the very top. Great views all around. Saw a few runners competing in the Jack & Jill's Downhill Marathon on the gravel trail.

We made it to the trailhead by 9 am, and there were about 8 other cars there. Took the shortcut up to the road, headed uphill and found the turnoff on the left shortly after the other road merged with the first. The mostly shady trail was just right for the warm weather.  In some places, it was quite rocky, and extra brushy in other parts, but overall, a nice mix of different environments.  

Follow the sign's directions at 3 miles to turn around on the trail and then head right at the next junction for the best trail to the top.  The other option leads to a scramble up a steep hillside, which is how we came down.  

The mosquitos weren't too bad while we hiking, but at the summit in the shade, we were swarmed by them.  Stay in the sun and enjoy the views. 

From Homestead Valley Trailhead, take the shortcut up to the road again. After continuing straight at the junction, take the first left into the forest. The entrance is quite unassuming and Gaia helps to confirm the trail. Cross some rocky sections before climbing up old logging roads, which are hard to identify at times. Keep a keen eye for devil's club, especially when the brush starts to close in higher up the trail. There are 10 or so logs across the trail, but all are fairly easy to step over or under. We applied picaridin at the trailhead, and did not run into any bugs until the very summit, at which there were many. We took pictures and left, finding the next outcropping down to eat lunch.

Just after 3 miles, take a left and then an immediate right to get to the summit. Right will take you in a loop, also to the summit, but is a steeper and rougher path. We came back down that way, and remarked that we would be alright if we never came up that direction. Garmin logged 8.7 miles and 3700 feet of elevation. Not taking the loop route would have made it slightly longer. There are great views at different points along the route. To the north, Mount Si and little Si, Mailbox Peak, and Mount Baker and Glacier Peak in the distance. South is dominated by Mount Rainier and Little Tahoma, which doesn't look so little. West, the Olympics can be seen on a clear day, and the Brothers can be identified, and Rattlesnake Lake and Rattlesnake Ledge appear in the foreground. To the east, Change Peak is the just across the valley and similar peaks appear in the distance. 

Hiked Saturday 7/23; Discover Pass required. Arrived at 0730 to plenty of parking! The lot is right off the interstate, so not a pothole problem or hard to find (unfortunately you spend the first .5-1 mile of the hike listening to the traffic). The trail immediately starts uphill and is very rocky in several places; however, my husky handled the terrain just fine. There's substantial elevation gain throughout the first half that left me winded, as well as a very energetic & big dog! Toward the peak, the trail is a bit overgrown, but still easy to follow. Too cloudy for a good view, but a great workout nevertheless and beautiful wildflowers to see! With most of the trail going through the forest, I imagine you would have lots of shade on a sunny day. Took me about 2 hrs to go up and 2 to get down for 4 hours total, not much trail traffic. By the time I returned around 1200, the parking lot was very full. GPS tracked 8.26 miles and 2900 ft gain.

Friday Hikers had some lung-busting rocky switchbacks up Mount Washington in the Snoqualmie region. After the marine layer lifted, we were treated to panoramic views of Mount Rainier and Chester Morse Lake and Masonry Pool. These 2 lakes help keep the megalopolis of Puget Sound hydrated. Elevation gains 3250, bagged a peak.