From the northern trailhead off of Rd 58, we followed the trail up to the summit, where we set up camp.

Road Conditions. After leaving the Wind River Rd, there were 4 mi of nicely paved single-lane road, then 2 mi of smooth gravel road, and finally 2 mi with potholes and uneven spots that could be an issue for lower-clearance vehicles. No trailhead facilities.

Trail Conditions. No obstacles, but the first half mile, which passes through a 100% burnt area, is starting to get overgrown.

Highlights. Ridiculous amounts of avalanche lilies, still fresh in less-exposed areas. 5-volcano view from the summit.

Bug Status. Mosquitoes were an annoyance around Berry Camp, if you stopped too long, which we didn't.

Crowds. Apart from a Washington Conservation Corps party, who had set up camp at Berry Camp, we encountered only one party on the trail.

We eight women (in two vehicles) were the only hikers today. There was a guy at the trailhead cutting firewood. It was a clear warm day and we saw all five mountains: Loowit, Wy’east, Klickitat, Tahoma & Seekseekqua. The trail is in good shape but the road up was a potholed nightmare.

Note - WTA shows 500ft elevation gain, but actual is 1400ft because trail goes up, then descends then goes back up. Nice trail. First mile of Trail #132 is up through scorched forest fire burn area. Eerie. From view point trail descends to Berry Camp and junction with #192 and #158. Go straight on #132 about 1/2 mile to junction with #132A, old sign "Observation Peak #132A", Go right and start long easy traverse up to summit. Our whole hike was in fog, clouds, mist and rain, so no views for us.   On Hwy 30 pass Fish Hatchery 2 miles and veer left to gate and unmarked road. This is FR64. (If you continue and drive past a cliff, you have just passed the turnoff). Go up FR64 about 4 miles (good road) then veer left up marked FR58. FR58 is best with AWD or high clearance, but is passable.  Trailhead is where FR58 forks, easy to spot.  On your way back to Hwy 14 stop in Carson at Backwoods Brewery next to the Post Office. Highly recommended.

More pix and info at www.deetezellimountainstories.com

TH off FR5401, well signed

#192 Trapper Creek to #132 Observation Peak  to #132A Peak back to #132 and camp at junction of #192 and #158, Berry Camp.

#132 is in excellent shape first 3 miles to the last creek. Thereafter it hits patchy burned areas from the 2020 fire. The trail in the burned areas is vegetated and starting to degrade. Looks markedly less used. Still the trail is mostly in the big, old growth and shaded. We dropped packs at #132A and went up to the peak. There is also a boot trail to the lesser peak with views. Continue to the main peak for more views of Helens, Rainier, Hood, and Adams. Flowers are out in force.  Back down to #132 and continued to junction of #192 and #158. Berry Camp is in the dry woods with space for 3 tents. The spring just a few 100 feet further on #158 has an old pipe with water running out. Probably the water source for the old lookout.

Day 2:

#158 to #194 Dry Creek. Camp along Dry Creek.

#158 Big Hollow starts out through more beautiful old growth, hits a small shallow stream and then is in the 2020 burn until hitting Dry Creek, #194. Trail is exposed and hot with no water until Dry Creek. Very vegetated with brambles across the trail which will trip you up if you aren’t watching your step. It is not clear of treefall, but passable for hikers. Doesn’t appear to be maintained. In 5 years will not be passable if the USFS doesn’t start maintaining it.

Stopped at Dry Creek and waded through the vegetation to the creek to cool off in the nice pools then continued on #194 through more burn for a bit. From the first wooden foot bridge, the trail has been cleared of most of the windfall and is out of the burn. We found a nice sandbar to camp on about 2 miles from the TH.

Day 3: #194 out to TH.

technically didn't hike this trail today, but wanted to mention that nf-58 becomes partially snow covered and deep in places around 8 miles from the trailhead. got stuck at a point in a 4wd Subaru on the way up and decided to turn back... definitely recommend high clearance vehicle. saw other vehicles approaching on the way out, but not sure how easy it is to get to the trailhead or if they were successful.