I used to select my hiking destinations based more on how new or challenging or visually rewarding they might be, but lately I place a little more consideration on the amount of time and difficulty it takes to drive there. The trailhead for Capitol Peak is an easy 45-minute drive from my house in Olympia and I find myself going here often. It offers adequate challenge and visual rewards, but I admit that I enjoy it less and less, primarily because of Washington State’s aggressive clear-cutting practices which inflict on the terrain a brutally ravaged appearance that takes many years to recover from. When walking through these tree graveyards, one can almost sense the anguish of a thousand tree-souls felled in a mass extinction. Forests swept by wildfire have a similar feel, but the standing tree carcasses somehow retain the former beauty and the forest’s recovery is much quicker. Today, my canine friend and I had it all to ourselves (one can usually find solitude here). He’s usually exuberant in natural settings but today he was feeling the somberness, too. There is occasional relief. A few weeks ago, this hill was covered in snow and the ugliness was thankfully obscured. Today it was completely snow-free.

Enough lamenting. This hike is about 7 miles round trip and 1700 feet of elevation. In areas outside the clear-cuts, the trail was muddy in spots with a few large puddles of standing water. Downed trees in four locations straddled the trail but none large enough to block passage. The trail crosses three streams where drinking water might be collected. I saw a few motorized riders on the trail, even though their start date isn’t till May 1^st.

Parked in a pullout along C-7000 at 1,200ft, and followed the Divide Trail South and The Grunt up to the summit area.

Road Conditions. C-7000 had some potholes, but was wide and even.

Trail Conditions. Divide Trail South was in good condition, apart from a couple deep & muddy puddles. Surprisingly nice tread for a motorized trail. Noticed some damage on the way down, from a single dirt biker who ignored all the "Trails Closed to Motorized Use Dec 1 - Apr 30" signs. The Grunt is a steep ATV trail through a clearcut, with plentiful loose rocks and dirt.

Highlights. The summit was socked in, but there were nice views on the way up.

Crowds. Encountered only one other person on the trails. Heard some motorized traffic on the surrounding roads, plus target shooting off in the distance.

It was an ideal day to hike through Capitol Forest to the summit of Capitol Peak. With my trusty canine friend, we parked on the main C-Line road where the Divide Trail South crosses going both ways. The trail is in good shape. Designated for motorized access starting May 1st, it’s wide enough to accommodate quad all-terrain vehicles although I encountered no ATVs today. The lower section is in a mature forest but many sections traverse a hillside and allow for good views looking east to south. 3.25 miles and 1500 feet up, the Divide Trail meets the Grunt Trail. From there to the summit, it’s wide open with good views a by-product of last year’s logging. A great hike for those living in South Sound. I like trails in this area because it’s close to home and provides good Spring training in peaceful surroundings. I saw just one other hiker on the 7 miles round trip with 1700 feet of elevation gain.

SUN 22jan2023 ~08:30, high_30s_F, and cloudy, i was the first to arrive at Pullout Parking along C-Line -Y- C-7000 for a ramble to/from Capitol Peak, by way of: (P) > (1) > (2) > (3) > (G) > (4) > (5) > (G) > (6) > (7) > (P). When i got back at ~12:15, there were another vehicle across from mine.

Saw no other person when going Up to and Down from Capitol Peak; only noticed a relatively fresh set of (a Hiker) boot-prints and (Dog) paw-prints on The Grunt. At ~(6), encountered 2x MT-Bikers huffing, puffing, and coming Up. They were friendly and courteous 👍 During my drive (heading home) out on C-Line (2-Lane), i noticed a total of ~12 vehicles, either coming In, or going Out; everyone was driving safely and courteously .. thank y'all.

The ~1 mile of C-Line (between Sherman Valley Road SW and tge Pullout Parking, and possibily further along) was in good condition and seemed well-maintained, a few small potholes, and loose gravels. The Trails and C-7000, were in good condition too; wet, water puddles - some frozen, and intermittent thin snow cover (especially in the open-areas), amd snow-slush between (P) and Elevation ~1,300 ft. Then snow-cover, up-to ~2+ ins between The Grunt and Capitol Peak. i tread cautiously and with my Trekking Poles, i did alright.

Capitol Peak was shrouded in dense fog when i got there. But no matter, i had lovely views from The Grunt 👍

Happy Trails Everyone!

 A hike on the first day of a new year is always the aim. The weather cooperated, so off we went. Because we had two dogs with us, we took the most direct route to the Peak-- a 5.6 mile out-and-back in just under three hours; 1600' ascent. We're not fast hikers!

Entered Capitol Forest from Olympia by way of Sherman Valley Rd. The Forest road is in good condition, some small potholes. Parked at the pull out across from logging road C-7000 (marked prominently on a tree & gated), no toilets here. Walked up C-7000 until we spotted the communication towers on the peak and found 'The Grunt' trail, which skirted the logging roads and took us directly to the peak. Icy patches of snow here.

Using our Gaia was helpful--there are SO many ways to get to Capitol Peak! Suggest that you wait for a bluebird day-- the views are worth the wait. Today we were just looking for a workout!