Worth every bump on the rough road and every step on the switchbacks. The trek down Cascade River road is quite long and bumpy so take it slow, even in a truck. The view from the trailhead alone is awesome, but parking can be a challenge on the narrow road if the main parking area is full. We arrived shortly before 9 am on a Saturday and had to double back to park a ways down along the service road, where allowed.
Once the hike started, the 30+ switchbacks were relatively moderate as the trail is very well maintained and graded. At the top, the views along the ridge are mind-blowing. I felt like I was on the edge of an unexplored landscape.
We saw Marmots, Pika, deer - no mountain goats, though there were plenty of rocky cliffs for them to frolic along. Sunscreen came in handy for the last quarter of the hike to the lunch spot, even in September. If you have the opportunity, this hike is a can’t-miss!
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