Looking for a hike in the Mount Rainier area but not wanting to deal with the July Saturday crowds in the park, I decided to give the Osborne Mtn. Trail a try. The trailhead is in the Big Creek Campground and does not require a NW Forest pass. I was on the trail about 10 am.
The trail starts out flat for the first half mile while crossing the Nisqually River flood plain but then begins a relentless steep climb up the northwest side of Osborne Mountain. Many switchbacks later, I made it to a spot where the trail crosses the nose of a ridge. Here is a junction with the Cave Creek Trail (which does not show up on any of my maps). I stayed left and followed the trail as transitioned to a moderate climb as it traverses the west side of Osborne Mountain. During this stretch, the trail goes back and forth between old growth forest and younger stands which are growing in areas clearcut probably 25-30 years ago. In the old clearcuts, there were many Tiger Lilys in bloom and the view is open enough that Mt. St. Helens is visible to the southwest.
Eventually the trail interects a forest road at the head of the Cave Creek watershed. Here were two cars and a tent but I didn't see anyone around both coming and going. The trail follows the road for about a quarter mile before resuming as single track.
Now the trail drops down to a creek crossing and the climbs again before reaching a junction with the Teeley Creek Trail #251. I beared right to head to Bertha May Lake. After a short but steep climb with views of Mt. Rainier through the trees, I arrived at Bertha May Lake about 1pm and found a shady spot on a log with a view of the lake for lunch.
After not seeing a single person on the way to the lake, the lake had lots of people who seemed to all have arrived on the Teeley Creek Trail which is a much shorter approach. I hung out at the lake for about 30 minutes and then retraced my steps back to the Big Creek Campground and my car.
The trail is open to motorcycles but I didn't see any though there was plenty of evidence of recent motorized activity.
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