Mt. Washington, WA

This is a great hike for both views and workout. As WTA's description says, ditch crowds in North Bend if you prefer much less foot traffic and less monotonous trail with better vistas than Mt. Si. However, the hike is not an easy one. Be prepared to get your heart rate going as you trek up and down steep switchbacks.

 
The trail offers a variety of terrains....forest line, creek crossing, granite wall, rocky trail, meadow and open sky. I really enjoyed the hike as it felt like much shorter than 8.5 miles RT....perhaps, because of less monotonous trail and views. There are several trail junctions you have to pay attention to in this hike, but they are well marked except the trailhead. Start the hike from the south end of the parking lot of Ollalie state park and follow John Wayne Trail/Twin Falls sign. Soon you pass a couple of trail junctions and take the third junction which has a small rock cairn for the trailhead/Mt. Washington. It is easy to miss, so pay attention. There are a few more junctions along the way, but well marked and follow the signs. 

Mt. Rainier and I-90 corridor peaks greet you near and at the top after the hard workout. You can also see Chester Morse Lake and Masonry Pool down below in the valley. They are the watershed for the greater Puget Sound area and look pretty full in spite of the state wide drought emergency....well, let's hope they remain that way this summer.

 

Mailbox Peak Old Trail, WA

Mailbox Peak has become my annual warmup hike for the last few years since my first trip up there four years ago. Last year I took the old trail up and the new trail down (easy, but a long hike!) as I was curious about the new trail soon after it was built. This time I took the old trail up and down.

The trail is in good condition and no major issue overall, except a few blow downs and partially muddy sections, but nothing to worry about. The weather was overcast when I left trailhead, but passing around 4,000 ft the sun started to break in through clouds and the rest of the journey to the summit was under a beautiful blue sky and even warm. It was such a treat to feel the warm sunshine after the hard work and almost surreal looking over the sea of clouds down below from the peak. 

Take in the view. The reward is a fantastic 360 panorama...Mt. Si, Bandera, Granite and other nearby peaks. On a clear day, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker and other Cascades high peaks juxtapose on the skyline. Wildflowers are not ready yet. I wonder if the drought due to low snow pack may affect them. 

A couple of reminders if you take the old trail:
- Hiking poles are highly recommended. (you will regret if you don't use them....specially while you descend.) The hike is what really "steep" trail is.
- Pay attention to follow the trail markers (diamonds) on trees to find your way to the summit and back to trailhead. Those short-cutting foot prints, if you follow them instead, can be misleading, and you may end up going up or down the wrong way. 

Also, note that the road to trailhead is closed on weekdays due to road work, but it's open on weekends.

5.2 miles RT

4,000 ft gain 

Granite Mountain, WA

Granite Mountain, WA - 10/2013

What a gorgeous day it was! The weather was almost like summer and perfect hiking in T-shirt and shorts while Seattle remained fogged in and cold. When I snowshoed up to the Granite's lookout via the avalanche chute two years ago, I could only experience the south face of the mountain. This time hiking along the trail to the lookout gave me a chance to see the back side of the mountain, which was very enjoyable. The trail condition is moderate over all with some muddy spots and running water, but no biggie. About a foot deep snow begins after passing the meadow (3.5 miles from trailhead), and the snow gets slushy as you climb the last stretch to the lookout. Trekking poles are helpful to hike up the steep switchbacks covered with slushy snow. This is a strenuous hike as the trail gets steeper....3,800 feet elevation gain in 4 miles. It's a butt kicker, and you feel your thighs burning as you push to ascend. But, the reward you see at the summit is worth the effort. The 360 vistas from the lookout are spectacular, indeed....how many peaks can you name on sight? Fall colors are still beautiful in and around the open meadow, but fading fast. Ranger is on duty in the lookout. He was giving fresh baked cookies to hikers....delicious! He said he'd be there on duty until Wednesday. You may hike up to the lookout by then? Granite Mountain is a great hike now for fall colors with breathtaking views and no doubt butt kicking workout....and perhaps, for ranger's fresh baked homemade cookies! 

How to get there:

From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 47 (Asahel Curtis/Denny Creek). Turn north over the freeway, turn left at the T, and drive to the nearby Pratt Lake-Granite Mountain parking area.

Roundtrip	8.0 miles
Elevation Gain	3800 ft
Highest Point	5629 ft

 

Kendall Katwalk, WA

Kendall Katwalk, WA - 10/2013

If you want to hike Kendall Katwalk this year, you may still have a chance before the next summer. The Katwalk is snow free as of Oct. 26, 2013, thanks to all the sunny weather in the highlands above the fog for the last few weeks. But, the window of opportunity depends on how long the mild fall weather will sustain. Kendall Katwalk was one of my bucket list hikes for the last few years, so I'm glad I could do this hike this time before the hiking season phases out. This is a spectacular hike with breathtaking vistas of towering mountains and traversing a sheer cliff - the Katwalk. The trail is well maintained and gradual ascent although it's a bit long hike - 11 miles RT and 2,700 feet gain. I saw quite a few trekkers running on the trail, about a dozen or so. The trail must be a great workout spot for runners. About 0.5 miles before you reach the Katwalk, there are a few stretches of icy snow you have to cross (trekking poles are recommended)....enjoy a little thrill. Muddy spots, creek crossing, water falls and mossy forest with lots of mushrooms are your company until the trail breaks open into meadows - Kendall Gardens. Be inspired with the spectacular mountain views all along from there to the Katwalk...Mt. Rainier, Mt. Stuart, Red Mountain and other N. Cascades peaks you are familiar with. After crossing the Katwalk, you can keep trekking along PCT deep farther north into wilderness if you want, or turn around to the way you came from. The fall weather was perfect today, and the hike was SUPER! Fall foliage is about to end its display now.

How to get there:

From Seattle drive I-90 to exit 52 (signed for Snoqualmie Pass west). At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left (north) and cross under the freeway. In about 100 yards, turn right onto a dirt road leading into the PCT trailhead. Northwest Forest Pass required to park at trailhead.

Roundtrip	11.0 miles
Elevation Gain	2700 ft
Highest Point	5400 ft

 

Mailbox Peak, WA

No Pain, no gain. That fits Mailbox Peak. My second ascent since 2010. It's a butt kicker and thigh burner, no doubt. This hike is one of the steepest hikes in N. Cascades - 3 miles and 4100 ft gain. How does it sound?  Feel challenged, or intimidated? You'll be surprised to see so many hikers go up there...trail gets crowded. Often on weekend you find the parking lot full.  It's a bit crazy hike, though, the rewards at the top make it all worthwhile.....spectacular 360 views and wildflowers. And remember, once you reach the summit, you have to descend the same steep trail. Hiking poles are a must for this hike. There is a mailbox at the summit as the mountain is called Mailbox Peak.  5 mile long new trail is under construction now, so you won't have to be intimidated by the elevation gain soon!


Round trip:       6.0 miles
Elevation Gain:  4100 ft
Highest Point:   4926 ft