The instruction for getting to the trailhead past Index are incorrect. It is much farther up that road than shown in the instructions. After 20 minutes, we turned around and went the other way, which was 13 miles from highway 2, 4 on pavement and the rest on badly potholed gravel.

The hike was great! The new parking lot only had 5 cars when we arrived at 9:30. The view from the top was spectacular. It was hot on the exposed south facing open switchbacks near the top-a good hat and sunscreen are highly recommended.

I teamed up with one of my colleagues from WTA for a dayhike up Frog Mountain.  This was part of our Hike-a-thon activity for the month of August.  Since the Frog Mountain trailhead is just off Jack Pass, we drove the scenic loop first from Index up to Jack Pass and then down by way of Skykomish.  The forest roads on this loop were in very good condition.  The benefit of going this way is that you get to stop for a chocolate shake at the Skykomish Deli after your hike.  There were three cars at the trailhead when we arrived at 8:30am and 11 cars when we came down.  The toilet is a standard FS box about 100 yards up the trail.  Bring your own supplies.

I have not been here for a couple of years.  The trail is in excellent shape.  There were no obstructions on the trail and the brush did not force one off  the trail.  

I quickly learned that there are many ripe berries along the trail when my hiking companion kept stopping for snacks at every opportunity.  The huckleberries are ripe along the upper half of the trail.  

Be ready for a number of switchbacks as you start the trail and continue up the 3.7 miles and 2100 feet of elevation gain.  This trail can be very hot in the afternoon sun.  The upper portion of the trail goes across several open areas (avalanche chutes) as it approaches the summit.  The views were great on this sunny summer morning.  You do NOT get 360 views from the summit area but you get great views to the north (Glacier, Columbia).  If you go down trail a couple hundred yards you get equally great views to the south.  

There is no water on this trail so pack accordingly.  We finished out hike and where in Skykomish by 1:00pm.  Enjoy a snack there is you want a break.

#HikeaThon

Great hike; amazing views.

First visit to this popular trail in the Galena/Beckler area (Hwy 2). Thanks to WTA work in recent years, the trail is in great shape, with long, fast and steady switchbacks making it accessible for most.

Once reaching the summit ridge amazing views open up, especially of the Columbia/Keys complex, but also Sloan, Glacier, Daniel, Hinman, and even Rainer. 

Compared to other Beckler area trails, such as Beckler Peak, Scorpion Peak, etc.:

• Frog has much easier road access
• Personally feel the others currently have a slight edge in "character"
  • But this will change in time as the new trail settles in

Notes:

• Road:
  • The reopened and paved Galena road is a pleasure to drive
  • Jack pass is dirt, with minor washboards
    • Go slow and most cars will be fine
  • At Jack pass take the NE spur road (there are 5 coming together here)
    • If you look really closely there is a teenee tiny "Frog Mtn" sign 
    • Parking lot is only a 100m up the road
• Parking: ~10% full on a Thursday
• People: Maybe 10 total, all super friendly
• Berries: A few just starting down low
• Flowers: A few just remaining up high
• Could not help make eye contact with El Capitan
  • Maybe one day we will get that El Cap / Conglomerate Point trail (link below)

Wonderful hike for two oldsters (early to mid-70s) in pretty darn good shape, one of whom has been hiking Washington for 70 years and was thrilled to be on this new trail. Clear day, not crowded, practically 360 views from the top. Trail bed good, with a few patches of rockiness. Non-stinky, open-air toilet about 100 feet up the trail, as described by WTA. Let's hope the trail remains relatively undiscovered so as to preserve its quality.