In my opinion, the most challenging part of this hike was the road getting up there: it's a rough one! Once the road becomes gravel, it's pretty much a single lane with lots of potholes, brush overgrowing both sides, fallen rocks and branches.... I was just really glad I didn't encounter any other vehicles as I was paying very close attention to what was right in front of me.
After what seemed like a very long time to drive the 12.8 (9.2 unpaved) miles to the trailhead from the main road, I arrived at wide gravel parking area with the trail heading uphill through a meadow of wildflowers and into the shady woods. This trail was magical right from the get-go!
It was a really hot day down in the Columbia River Gorge, but not nearly as bad up here around 3,000 ft on a mostly-shaded trail. There was even a nice breeze from time to time. Amazing views of Mount Adams and the Big Lava Bed from a few rock outcroppings a little over a mile in, more amazing views of Mount Hood from the Grassy Knoll itself, and tons of wildflowers throughout. Perhaps the best part: I didn't see (or hear) any other people on this hike at all.
The trail is in pretty good shape: overgrown in places, but not difficult to follow, and the few blowdowns I encountered were easy to get over or under. There were lots of bugs out and about, but the only time I was really bothered was back at the parking area when a huge horsefly bit me through my t-shirt and then decided that she was in love and wouldn't leave me alone. All in all, this was a pretty fantastic evening hike.
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