I underestimated the toll the extra 6 miles would take on me - my mistake! It’s an easy 6 miles but that + the mileage to O’Neil camp and the unexpected warm weather kicked my ass. I got dehydrated, spent the rest of my 3 night trip trying to recover.
Others have covered most of the main stuff but a few things I wanted to specify:
1. the steep blowdown after pony bridge is the scariest but going following the signs of other hikers makes it doable
2. the huge cedar down across the trail between Pony and O’Neil was the hardest for me. Had to drop my pack over the side and then follow (always nervous about that when solo hiking so I wanted to mention it) the broken section is a decently good climb but watch your footing.
3. the up and over trail beyond the washout was way too difficult for me with a heavy pack so I opted to go down and cross the stream instead (I fortunately had good water shoes) this was much easier for me on the way in but getting wet at the start of your hike out may not be ideal.
4. Google will still insist you should go on South shore road. This is incorrect and will add 4 miles to your 6 miles on graves creek road.
sadly it seems the bears have gone off away from the trail as I was not lucky enough to see any. Still a beautiful trip with wildly good weather, and an important lesson for me about preparing for heat (and not just cold) when hiking in May. I saw a large herd of Elk in the valley, many small deer on graves creek road and an abundance of birds including western tanager, osprey, kingfisher, ravens, warblers, and so many more!!
one request to fellow drivers to please slow down on north shore road! It is at several points only one car wide with low visibility.
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