Went for a sunset hike but arrived at the trailhead too late for timing of said sunset! The drive in would benefit from having a high clearence vehicle as there are sections of minor wash outs of the road. Would be slower going in a more standard compact car. Left the trailhead at 8:15PM and reached the lookout around 10:20PM, hiking at a pretty constant clip.
Pretty solid uphill action for the first 1/3 of the hike wuthout reprieve it felt like. Only tiny patches of snow were found on the entire trail itself (3-4 patches), sized at a few feet across so no impact at all imo. On 1 or 2 very tiny streams were found across the trail, soon to be dried up. The mosquitos are absolutely ravenous even with a heavy dosing of bug spray. This resorted in dramatic flaying actions as a last resort while tromping up. Trailhead written report from late last year warned of a hornets nest 1/4 mile of the way into the trail, but we never saw anything. After sunset (9:45-10ish) the mosquitos drastically reduced.
The fire lookout itself was still locked with no one inside. Some decent patches of snow surround the lookout itself still. Great hike but very deceptive with how much up and slight downhill sections over the long 10 miles.
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