Haven’t seen this trail being this wet before, very cool to see those dry “creeks” in the summer to come alive. At the start of the trail and a big portion of the meadow area around 3miles in were “flooded” but I was able to stay dry with waterproof boots and careful footing. Without waterproof shoes you’ll get wet no matter what.

First encountered snow at around 4000ft, intermittent until the “flooded” meadow area. The last couple of miles had consistent snow but it was mostly shallow and not hard to cross. Did not need spikes going up but they definitely helped going down. Brought snowshoes but they are absolutely not needed.

Peekaboo views of mountains nearby and it’s cool to see mountain loop become a winter wonderland!

We really enjoyed our hike but snow and rain have built up.
Started around 10am in rain and intermittent clouds. About 2 miles in we encountered our first patches of snow. We put on micro spikes and continued on. However, the snowfall and rain in the past 24 to 48 hours cause pretty heavy streams to be flooding down the trail. Definitely need waterproof shoes and would recommend micro spikes or snow gear. About a mile from the top the snow got heavier about 6 inches to a foot and poles and spikes would be required. The boot pack had some punches to down to about 3 feet.

slushy and slick on the way down. Not sure how much longer the trail will be open but come prepared with a couple pairs of dry socks, extra layers and torches now that daylight savings is causing it to get pretty dark by 4pm! 

A crisp and colorful fall day on Mt. Dickerman!

The trail was clear and snow-free until about 4,000 ft, making for an easy start through the autumn colors. After that point, the route turned wet and slushy for roughly another mile, so waterproof shoes were definitely appreciated.

Around 4,800 ft the snow became continuous, but there was a solid boot track all the way up. No traction or snowshoes needed today.

Despite the cloud cover, the views did not disappoint—Tahoma, Dakobed, and Kulshan were all visible today. The summit was windy and chilly, so extra layers were helpful.

All in all, a classic fall outing with great scenery and manageable conditions.

Fun hike out at Dickerman- very few cars in the lot at 9 AM. I was very happy to make use of one of the walking sticks at the start of the hike. The trail was consistently steep most of the way up and well maintained. My dog didn't appreciate the very small water crossings that were required. I spotted a bear (black?) as I approached the meadow with the huckleberries and decided to turn back. Very small patches of snow closer to the summit that were easy to pass. Next time I'll plan to hike with a buddy (human). I made it back to the car just before 2! Wonderful views on the way up still made it a worthwhile trek.

We got a late start (1:00 PM) so had to keep a steady pace to ensure we could do a 4PM turnaround from the summit. 2:40 going up, and we started hitting intermittent slushy snow at about 3.25 miles. It was never higher than our boot tops and we elected not to put on the Microspikes---and then changed our minds coming down and wondered what the hell we had been thinking. The spikes really increased our stability.

The skies were exceptionally clear, making for great views to the north and the south (see pics). It got into the low 50s and the snow got pretty slushy, but as soon as you got into the shade it firmed up. Upcoming weather will of course change this dramatically.

Like all trails that gain 1,000 feet per mile, WTA lists this one as hard. I'd rate the trail as moderate in quality---some rocks and roots mean you've got to be fairly careful of your steps and there are few places where you can just cruise along on a bouncy tread---so it feels like the rating is apt. It's never terribly steep in any one spot (not like Vesper across the way), so the ascending part is easier than on some other trails rated this way.

2 hours and 15 going down put us at the car right at 6 pm.