Spectacular, stunning, sensational, all apply! I'm not surprised that even on a Monday the parking lot was pretty full. Almost immediately, I met a through hiker from the Czech Republic. Her trail name was Lala because she looks like a Teletubby with that name when she's in her sleeping bag!
A short but quick climb connects you to the PCT, turning left leads toward Tatie Peak and Grasshopper Pass. From there the trail crosses a large talus field and enters a thick grove of golden larches stretching from the top of the mountain down into the valley below. It's also decorated with great fall color as it ascends to the first pass.
Rounding Cone Mountain, jagged peaks dominate the horizon above larch filled meadows far below as you first descend then ascend to the next pass. Here, the trail is level for a while until mildly descending as you approach Tatie Peak. Having already been deep in a grove of larch and getting a late start, I decided to climb Tatie Peak instead of going all the way to Grasshopper. This was a good decision on a clear day like today. A faint trail is marked with a couple of Cairns and climbs steeply to gain the ridge. It tops out on a small rock outcrop, then climbs further along the ridge towards the summit block. From a distance it looks like it might have a few class 2 moves, but it doesn't. I put my hand on rock once for balance, taking one more step and then I was on top. Incredible views in every direction. If there's a summit register, it's well hidden.
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