Type of Hike
Day hike
This is my first trip report, so forgive me if I'm not great at this yet! What a way to spend Independence Day...gorgeous hike, best one I have done so far in this less than spectacular summer.
The road up is just under 3 mi from US97, a few potholes, but nothing my small car couldn't handle. There isn't a whole lot of parking, about 10 spots split between an upper and lower lot. No bathroom or water either.
There are wildflowers and butterflies everywhere, and they begin before you even start hiking. I'd venture to say most of the wildflower show is along the dirt road! All along the hike you see new ones around each corner, it was really impressive for being a non-alpine hike. The trail is a fairly easy slow rambling ascent and once at the top there is plenty of room for having lunch and downing some H20. Great views of Mount Stuart and Mount Rainier. ALSO, be sure to bring some shoes you don't mind getting dusty, you will bring some of it back with you!
Only complaint was the dirtbike riders that almost ran me over at the '5489 lookout. I was attempting to take a close up shot of a butterfly on the ground and three of them raced by me without even looking. Look out for them! Even when you can hear them you might not realize how close they are, these three didn't seem too concerned for others safety.
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