What a grand day it was, another golden autumn moment. And for great photography with the low angle sun glowing through red, orange and yellow leaves. Had to go high today since snow could come at anytime now and this easy hike has it all. Views, views and great fall color. There was a skiff of snow on the northeast side of the loop, use careful footing. Where the frost melted in the sunlight, there was some mud, but not bad. And the Mountain was out in all her grandeur. By the way, the Cayuse Highway (123) had some nasty black ice at the curve near Silver Creek below Shriner. One car spun off the road, without any injuries. Use some caution on these mountain roads. Drive safe and have fun.

This is a beautiful hike! Too bad everyone else thinks so too! I would recommend doing this hike during the week. We started out at the lookout with the hundreds of other hikers and their dogs. Horses are allowed on this trail and left their droppings on the trail, however, the dog droppings were more abundant. Dogs everywhere where chasing pikas, birds, barking at whatever, and pissing and pooping all over. Yuck! Besides all of the people, this trail is very scenic. The views are outrageous for a relatively easy trail. We took the side trip down to the Dewey Lakes are were amazed at how clear and beautiful they are. On the way down we heard elk callling in the distant. We also surprised a little bear eating blueberries - hurried on our way expecting to see mama bear. Take this hike, take your relatives, take your dogs, and have a good time:)

Trail is in great shape, only one small snow field left (no problem). The flowers are at or near their peak and the huckleberries are starting to ripen. Only a few bugs.

We began our hike from the first parking lot past the PCT overpass(east side)at 10:45 on the hottest record setting day of this year. My REI thermometer read between 80 and 90 degrees the whole time. Three sixty year old ladies and one healthy, but disabled younger women who has a bit of difficulty walking. The trail is good, but dusty and we only crossed some snow pack once, and it was no problem. We saw about 30 other hikers, some were going on to camp at a lake about 7 or 8 miles out. Bugs were average, and with some spray, they were not a problem. The wild flower were magnificent!! We did the walk clockwise, which is by far the best way, as Mt. Raineir is always in front of you, rather than at your back. We stopped to lunch along the way, for about 15 minutes. Shade is very hard to come by. We were back at the car at 1:30. This is one of my favorite hikes and my companions agreed it is a 10+.

Not even a handfull of people all morning on this extremely popular hike. Flowers at their prime. To quote Harvey Manning ""...a nice combination of flower-sniffing and mountain-gazing as one can find anywhere.