11mi RT with ~3k feet. Gaia says 05:06 hrs total time with 04:32 hrs moving time which is mostly because the first 3 mi is relatively flat and can speed through. The smoke was there but it got better as the day progressed. Quite a late start per my usual standards. Reached and started hiking at ~noon. Did not expect any water but was surprised with some water at ~ 2 mi and 3 mi respectively and also possibly at Hannegan Camps (judging by the sound of rushing stream though i didnt actually check). Last mile is almost without any tree cover and is ~ 1k feet for 1mi.

What a great day on the trail! The trail itself is in excellent condition, plenty of parking available when we arrived before 9:00 am on a Monday. Lots of blueberries and huckleberries towards the top of the peak, and the colors are just starting to turn for autumn, including the slightest hint of larch color on a couple of small trees near the top. The clouds took a little bit longer than forecasted to move on out but gave us a nice show and made the views on the way down even more spectacular.

Such a beautiful valley, with the sights changing, and Ruth Mountain slowly emerging. I only went 2 miles up trail, but still got lots of enjoyment from this outing. Good news! There is now a short new road connecting the "old" huge trailhead parking lot with the very small lot used the last few years. Much more room to park, which is super. The privy is stocked with TP and not too bad. 

I loved this hike for its variety — beautiful forest walks, trickling waterfalls, the river, (mostly) gradual elevation change, mountain meadows, and even a few boggy areas. The views of nearby peaks especially Mt. Ruth are geologically fascinating,

Between the pass and the peak there is a tricky patch of trail with steep and broken stairs, do-able but slow going. Otherwise the trail was in great shape.

Made it to the meadow below the last push to the peak and had lunch. Rumbling thunder in distance and thundercloud approaching caused us to head back down rather than make it the last 1/2 mile to peak.

I was too hasty. I left my silicone sandwich bag, and my improvised trail pillow made from a couple of plastic mail delivery bags. I feel terrible about the litter. If you are going up to the peak and see these white and blue eyesores, please pick them up and trash or reuse as you choose. Thank you.

Road: Some potholes, bc how can you drive 5 miles of gravel road without encountering any? But they were fairly small and easy to avoid. A sedan would probably be fine.

Parking: grabbed the last spot in the main lot around 8:30AM, but there were 3 or 4 in the overflow/lower lot and several cars parked along the side of the road. Most were likely holiday weekend backpackers, since I encountered lots on their descent.

Trail: One short section near a waterfall was a bit eroded but passable.

Water: two decent places within the first two miles or so. Some water at around 3.1 mi — good for splashing on yourself to cool off or maybe soaking a hat/towel, but probably not great for filling a bottle.

Flowers: mostly gone, but pleasantly surprised to see a few hanging on.

Berries: soooo many ripe ones between the saddle and the peak! I can only imagine how pretty that stretch will be in a few weeks once the leaves turn.

Peak: two cairns to guide the way through the rocks. So cool and breezy up there!