I had read the previous trip report about the trail being impassable because of a landslide of trees.  We had been planning on coming so decided to see if we could get through.  I am happy to report that between their report and yesterday someone went in with a chain saw and cleared all the trees from the trail, the trail is in great shape for the whole loop.  We found the parking across the hiway but, instead of taking the trail down and back up we walked the hiway for about 150 feet and found a connecting trail on the other side of the hiway.  The trail goes up for quite a few switch backs and finally meets up with the Sherman Loop trail.  We went east or left on the trail.  About half way around we left the trail and we did climb to the peak of Sherman Mountain.  It is bush wacking without a trail lots of deadfalls and boulder fields. Our great weather turned into a pouring rain thunderstorm so the trail did get a little muddy before we made it back.  All the bushes are green and flowers  are growing but, not bloomed yet.  It was a nice hike minus the rain.  

We attempted to do the Sherman Peak Loop on June 10 to check out the fresh snow from the night before and see how the trail was doing after the winter.  I read the trip report here from May 27 and it sounded like the trail was clear enough to do the loop.  We progressed up the trail and headed left (east) at the junction.  About a half mile past the junction there was a slide and/or avalanche that pushed a lot of trees over the trail and it was impassable.  In the attached picture the trail goes directly ahead but is completely covered with downed trees.  What a mess!  Apparently this happened since May 27.  Due to the fresh snow and slippery conditions we didn't attempt to go up the slope and around it, as this would require going in and over the large boulder field just to the west of the trail at this location.  

A friend, my dog and I were excited to hike the Sherman Peak loop today, despite knowing it was likely there would still be some snow up there.  With 64" of snow over winter, even the warm spring days we've had would not have melted all of it.  From the trailhead most of the way to the loop junction was snowfree.  There were a few trees down but easily navigable.  There were areas of runoff in the trail and a few "trail ponds" or muddy areas.  Once we got to the loop junction, we went left (east).  There is significant snow still on the east side, especially through the rockslide area.  Many trees down in what was obviously an avalanche earlier in the season.  We were able to cross the snow and see the trail on the other side.  We also got lucky and ran into a family of three coming from the opposite direction.  Our tracks in the snow helped each other through the area.  Most of the snow was "boot pack" thanks to snowshoers.  If you stepped off the packed snow, you postholed up to knee or hip, depending on the section.  Once we turned onto the south side, the trail was snow-free and in great condition.  Our original plan had been to head out to Snow Peak cabin and back, but when we got to the junction, it looked like there was still a lot of snow that direction, so we chose to sit on the rocks and have an early lunch, enjoying the smell of the firs and the fresh mountain air.  A couple of backpackers came up the trail from the Snow Peak cabin area and said that once one turned the corner on the mountain that direction, it was bare and in good condition, though many trees down across the trail in places.  From the junction back around to complete the loop was almost entirely snow-free.  Some water runoff on trail in places.  All in all, a most excellent day with a little adventure for good measure.  A couple more weeks and the trail should be entirely snow-free.

8 Spokane Mountaineers hiked on snowshoes around Stephens Peak in eastern Washington.  It had snowed earlier in the week, so we were breaking trail through about a foot of new snow. We took turns breaking trail, so it wasn’t too difficult for any one hiker.  Other than a couple of sections, it was easy to follow the trace of the trail left behind from before the storm.

We had a lovely day, cloudy in the morning, followed by brilliant sunshine in the afternoon. One tree across the trail was difficult to navigate, there were others buried in the snow which I couldn’t see, but if felt them as we hiked over them.

Group of 8 headed out for a Snowshoe trip breaking trail on the first half of our trip.   A few areas we had to route find, and watching for cut tree branches really helped.  Do check avalanche conditions before heading out, we saw no signs and crossed the “bowl” area one at a time safely. After a viewpoint lunch break halfway, we were lucky to have trail broken for us from people leaving the cabin at snow peak and the rest of their Trail was broken by us. We had to inform them that their car was bermed in at sno Park lot, and had not been plowed as of 9am, we had to park in pull out. They were prepared and all had shovels to dig the Subaru out if needed, lot was plowed and they were gone by the time our group made it out. Easy going from there , for both groups and enjoyed a sun filled day on this great loop around Sherman Peak.