We took Mountain Loop highway from Darrington to the closed gate just past Bedal Creek; the gravel road was in great condition, and it looks like the road past the gate has also been recently worked on.
Wildflowers were popping - so many trillium, bleeding heart, and wild strawberry! And other small flowers I couldn't identify.
As expected from other recent trip reports, there was a fair bit of blowdown across the trail. We took the upper trail in and the lower trail out - the lower trail had significantly more obstacles to climb over/under, but the views of Elliot Creek were top-notch! Even with the extra blow-down, I preferred the lower trail.
Additionally, right before the switchbacks leading up to Goat Lake (after the trails rejoin), there is a major blowdown - definitely the worst section. As noted in previous trip reports, turn right at/before the hot pink ribbon. Follow the fallen silver fir. (See second photo from https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-05-04.114756220398) You'll be on the right side of the tree and then climb over to the left side and you should be able to see a second pink ribbon marking the trail.
I will note that one of the lower trail bridges is looking really rough. I took a picture from the side closer to the trailhead, and that doesn't show how the center support is really leaning off to the side. I didn't want to walk back across to get a better picture from the far side.
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