Moderate hike with good elevation gain. Follows dirt roads for the first half and then the trail starts once you are off private property. Has gpsx data or go with someone who knows the trail, there are many junctions that can get you off route if you're not careful. The trail itself starts at a bend in the road around 1.5 miles.

Be aware the roads are often being used by dirt bikers, keep your ears open and step to the side of the road or you might get run over.

There is no water on the trail so bring what you need. Views from the top are phenomenal! It does get windy once you get up on the ridge so have layers for the top.

Not really a beautiful trail, but the summit views are spectacular. The first two miles of the trail is a dirt road. Make sure you have your map open or pay close attention for cairns as you go.

The cut off to the true trail is about 2 miles in - we missed it initially had had to double back. If you hit a down and broken tree on the dirt road you’ve gone too far and should double back for the trail.

Also, too many dirt bikers. I’m not a fan of breathing in exhaust fumes when trying to enjoy the great outdoors.

Good elevation gain, but gradual. Never felt like it was too steep.

Not a lot of people. Had the summit to ourselves with views of Cle Elum lake and the Stuart range. That made it very worthwhile.

@jmolt on Instagram for more hiking pics

Summary: Uncrowded and exposed hike along ridgeline with views and wildflowers.

Road: Paved up until FS 116, which is unpaved, but you park immediately on it.

Parking: Trailhead parking is along the side of FS 116; there were about half a dozen cars when I arrived at 9:45 am on a Sunday, and none when I left in the afternoon. There was room for more cars, too.

Trail: The first half of the hike is on FS 116, so the tread is wide and the grade is moderate. The second half of the hike, after the turnoff to Hex Mountain, is much narrower and oftentimes steeper. The tread tends towards loose sand and rock, which proved problematic descending on the steeper portions. I landed on my butt more than once, which was dangerous to my dignity more than anything else. The entire trail is relatively exposed, with little shade and no water. Between the exposure and the tread, my 10 year old dog was so ready for the hike to be over by the time we were halfway down.

Wayfinding: The hike description directs hikers to stay on FS 116 without taking any branches - however, it is not always obvious which is the main road and which is the branch. During those times, look for arrows made of sticks in the road as well as cairns by the side of the road. I was so charmed by these trail signs that I repaired a few arrows and cairns myself. The trail signs continue even on the trail post-FS 116, as there are a couple of interactions with more roads.

Payoff: Frequent views of Cle Elum Lake on the way (behind you when ascending, ahead of you when descending). 360° views at the top. I actually had my lunch at the peak just southeast of Hex Mountain because there was a party already at the top. I think it had better, more unobstructed views of Cle Elum Lake. That party left soon after I showed up so I grabbed more pics at the top of Hex Mountain too. Wildflowers still out and proud.

Social distancing: Met half a dozen parties on the way up and none on the way down. Everybody was polite about keeping distant, and given how easy it was to keep far distant, nobody felt the need for face coverings.

Other notes: One hiker I met told me he saw a bear right on FS-116, probably not more than a mile from the gate. I wasn't sure whether to be disappointed or relieved that I did not see said bear myself, though I swear I smelled bear a couple of times during the hike.

Arrived at trailhead around 10am, only two other cars were parked. Started my solo hike up FR 116 past the gate. Just under 1/2 a mile into the hike there is a fork. There is a small rock carin on a tree stump. Go RIGHT up the road. I didn't see the carin and ended up hiking about 1/4 a mile in the wrong direction before I realized I had made the wrong turn. After back tracking and turning up the correct road, I saw another, smaller carin further up. 2 miles in, there will be a big wood sign on the right signaling the start of the single track trail up Hex Mt. The trail intersects with a FR again, turn right up the road. After about 100 yards the single track starts up again on the left. From there it's a steady incline until the top. I only saw two other couples, one was heading down, as I was on my way up, we wore our masks as we passed. The other was at the top, there was enough room for us to social distance as we sat. If there was another group at the top, there wouldn't be enough space for everyone to comfortably sit and social distance. Car to top took just over 2 hours, and that is including my wrong turn. Top to car took about just under 1 and 1/2 hours. Over all the hike was beautiful, with great views of surrounding peaks and Clean Elum Lake.

I didn’t actually hike up Hex Mountain today. I hiked up road 4305 which leads to the upper trail head for Hex Mountain. This road takes off from the Salmon la Sac Road about a half mile past the Last Resort. I am recovering from brain surgery so I am not on the steep trails yet but this road is steady uphill the whole way and gives a good workout. There were lots of flowers out still especially tiger lily, orange paint-brush, lupine, honeysuckle, and some others. There are also some views of Lake Cle Elum through the woods in a few places. I saw a few people on mountain bikes and motorcycles and some cars went by but not very many. There are lots of good logging roads to hike in the upper Cle Elum Valley, and we often use them when we’re short on time or just looking for a road hike. Road hiked also allow you to stay socially distant, so they’re good for this pandemic time.