Jefferson Ridge — Sunday, May. 28, 2023

First things first: Do not use Google Maps to find this trailhead. It will take you into the neighborhood but a ridge away. Instead, use the directions provided in the trail description. Not only will they get you there, it will be pavement until the last 3.5 miles or so.

Second things second: Those last 3.5 mile miles are not an easy drive. FSR 2421 is steep, narrow and rocky, with a big drop-off. To increase the degree of difficulty, the FS has installed erosion-control channels (water bars) every 200 meters or so. You cannot maneuver those in a passenger car. They are deep. High-clearance vehicles only. Like 4X4 trucks or jeeps. Also, the 3.1 miles from the turn off FSR 2480 to the trailhead is closer to 3.3 miles.

Third things third: The trailhead is not at the little post marked "Trail." It is about 50 meters further along the road. The start is marked with a nice sign that is nearly covered with rhododendron branches. Parking for maybe four cars in the vicinity of the trailhead.

Fourth things fourth: The trail. Nature has nearly reclaimed it. It is overgrown. It is clogged with blowdowns. Stretches are beginning to erode, including the section where you cross the road at the half-mile mark and begin the assault on the ridge. It is getting dangerously bad there. The trail is doable, but you need some experience and patience and you need to take care. Long pants and log sleeves help.

All that said, it is a nice walk in the woods. The rhododendron are blooming, as is the beargrass. There are views of Hood Canal, Rainier way in the distance, Mount Washington and most of the rest of the Olympics, though those mostly are through a screen of trees. The ruins of the lookout are cool in a post-apocalyptic way. Saw a bunch of bear scat on the ridge, which is thrilling in ways both good and bad.

Took the little dog and me about four hours roundtrip, with stops for photos and lunch. I imagine it was a quicker trip when the trail was in better condition.