This was a nice mellow hike with big views. The switchbacks and slope grade remind me of Mt. Si, if Si were about half the length. There were lots of great views on the way up as well as at the top. It's fun to look at the assorted mountains north of the pass that I've gone up this summer.
Forest Road 9070, as always, is challenging. (This is the road that inspired me several years back to get rid of my old VW Golf and buy an AWD.) Seems like they've worked on the lower part of the road, but the upper portion still has several rocky and washed out parts that could be a challenge in a regular car.
Air quality was great today and it was chilly enough for an extra layer. There were butterflies, but no sign of the rare Taylor's Checkerspot. I only saw two other people, so mostly had the hike to myself.
There were fall colors driving in, but not so much on the trail itself. Looking out from the top it looks like the Melakwa Lake hike has the fall colors happening.
Comments