Quite difficult - for various reasons. The elevation gain on itself is decent and not too bad. The last third of trail gains most of it though and is steep. While still in the forest the trail turns to have large boulders and it becomes a partial climbing effort. Despite hiking this in mid June large snowfields come up that completely cover the trail and you are dependent on the hiking app to guide you as there is so little foot traffic that you don’t have orientation from that either. Once you reach the ridge the trail is only slick rock or massive boulders and hiking through is difficult. You are also very wind exposed and temperatures drop considerably. I switched to hat, wind breaker and gloves. I see that one person switched to rather hike up the snow field to the right instead of going through the rocky ridge. That has its own challenges since steep and moving onto the snowfield you have to be careful because where is hits the rocks there is some melting and ice overhanging that is thin and non-supporting and dangerous. You finally reach the top and have amazing views of not in clouds. I could only see east, northeast and southeast due to clouds. No great seating options on top.
Downhill is much easier if you take the snowfields. I did for most of this upper third of the trail. Some of it is steep and I slid down almost like a sliding adventure. That was not only fun but takes you past the challenging rocky ridge and saves tons of time for otherwise treacherous hiking down. I think it was 4 hours up and one and a half down it felt.
Difficult but worthwhile hike if you don’t mind borderline climbing a bit.
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We had an awesome time on the mountain today. Didn’t quite make it to the top but two of our party did which is what counts 💪. This mountain 🏔️ started it for me .. love it so
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Great 360 views, The trail on the ridge down from the summit is challenging in a fun way, as it disappears through stretches of larger lava rocks. Mystic lake is a sweetheart, small, peaceful, just the right shade of green. And with a spectacular backdrop of cliffs and screes up high.
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Great 360 views, The trail on the ridge down from the summit is challenging in a fun way, as it disappears through stretches of larger lava rocks. Mystic lake is a sweetheart, small, peaceful, just the right shade of green. And with a spectacular backdrop of cliffs and screes up high.
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Great 360 views, The trail on the ridge down from the summit is challenging in a fun way, as it disappears through stretches of larger lava rocks. Mystic lake is a sweetheart, small, peaceful, just the right shade of green. And with a spectacular backdrop of cliffs and screes up high.
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Great 360 views, The trail on the ridge down from the summit is challenging in a fun way, as it disappears through stretches of larger lava rocks. Mystic lake is a sweetheart, small, peaceful, just the right shade of green. And with a spectacular backdrop of cliffs and screes up high.
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I forgot how hard this hike is—even Brent and Christopher had trouble negotiating trail down
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Absolutely beautiful! I brought crampons, a trekking pole, mountaineering axe, plenty of water, an emergency shelter and lots of layers. Def MUST use gps like Gaia to keep on the trail with this much snow. It was only about 6 inches to start but by mile 2 it was solidly a foot of powdery not stompable snow…and then by mile 3 it was ridiculously to my knees of fluffiness, not post holing at all as nothing tamped down. Bring snow shoes! It’s a great alpine mountaineering route finding trail for those with experience! Please either know what you’re doing and have an emergency gps device in case needed OR come with people experienced for these alpine climbs. It was absolutely joyous if you love this kind of thing! And no one at all around for miles!
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The loop is a classic, that’s why it’s an FKT too. You can be super quick on their surface. Some volcanic sections exposed but that go back into tree tree line. Shade. Solid ups and down and some sprint stuff along the final three miles on bike path..
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You’re going to posthole even with snowshoes. I’d recommend a start earlier than 6am or bring skis. I ended up losing my snowshoes and a hiking pole on this mountain! If anyone sees a black diamond hiking pole and a pair of highlander elite snowshoes (designed in the French Alps) let me know! Otherwise, the views are great! It’s worth the climb and the postholing.
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Nike hike. Only a couple down trees, not a big deal. Great for dogs. Pretty flat hike, especially the first half. Did it as a day hike.
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Nice hike. Did it as a day hike. 6.3 miles each way according to GPS. Great for dogs. Pretty flat especially the first half. A couple small creek crossing.
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Be prepared for it taking a long time if no skin track! One of our party had snowshoes and was oostholing a lot. He averaged 1mph up. Skiers at best were 2 mph avg. usually under that. Don’t take a lot of weight in. Make sure you have good emergency gear if you can’t make it to the cabin. The road to the trailhead was closed so add another 1.5 miles. Not even a good 4wd would make it. About 20 inch deep. Good luck and have fun. Stay safe
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Easy access with 2WD 15 passenger van. Large parking area makes turn around easy. Well marked trail head from the parking area.
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Tried to fish Rainbow Creek but it was to small. Nice bike ride. Take the trails
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