I finally found the Dalles Ridge Trailhead after a few false starts, including last weekend when I missed the turn to FS Road 72 and ended up having a delightful hike up the Greenwater Lakes Trail. At the end of that hike I navigated up to the Dalles Ridge Trailhead, carefully following the directions in the hiking guide and paying close attention to my odometer, since none of the roads are marked once you get on to FS 72, and even that turn is easy to miss. Yes, there is a sign, partially obscured by brush on the left side of the road for the right turn -- the first right turn past the DNR firing range.
I have loved this hike for many years, but always accessed it via the Corral Pass Trailhead, but that road is closed.
From this trailhead you hike steadily up a ridge which gets you right through terrain that was burned in last year's Norse Peak Fire.
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Earlier trip reports warned of tricky conditions on this trail due to downed trees and other effects of last year's fire. But there had been trail work done this year. I saw fresh sawdust around about 25 trees that had been blocking the trail. Thank you whoever is responsible for that! The trail was clear and in good shape, but rather dusty in places.
The walk through the burned areas was haunting, with plenty of views of Mount Rainier through burned stands.
Once up to the Noble Knob Trail the views back to Mount Rainier were as I remember them, except you now look over a burned ridge in the foreground.
A great hike. I will be back.
Up at the Knob I met two other groups, one that followed me from the Dalles Ridge Trailhead and another that came from FS road 7222. From what I could tell this second group had a good bit more elevation gain than the 1000 feet or so that I had to cover.
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