Rampart Ridge Backdoor (with Lakes Laura and Lillian)

It had been 2 months since we attempted this exact route.  It was like a completely different hike.  The meadows were blossomed with flowers, the then bare bushes were overgrown to give us a real bushwacking experience.  It was every bit of beauty I expected it to be back when I first saw the landscape in March.  The trail was much easier to recognize, even in the bountiful, fresh growth.  The road to the parking lot still has one area of washout.

The parking lot was a full one on Sunday, though the trail was quite quiet.  Upon starting we ran into some campers coming down who said that Lillian was almost completely thawed, as opposed to the week prior when there still remained a great deal frozen.  I was relieved.  We initially said we wouldn't go up there again until August, because we wanted to go up to the ridges, which would be very difficult to do with frozen lake areas below it.  So we eagerly climbed up to Lake Lillian; and when I say "eagerly" I mean that we made it up there in 45 minutes.  I did mention, though, how I forgot how steep it really was.  Up to Lake Lillian, it is about P3's ridge equivalent on steepness, minus the loose terrain.  There is a point where the trail will split -- left takes you to Lake Laura, and right continues the climb to Lake Lillian.  From the Lake Lillian fork, there exists another fork further ahead -- to the right I believe is the trail to Mt. Catherine, straight ahead is to Lillian.  Moving past this we reached the entrance plateau to Lillian.  From before the entrance you can look to the left side and see Lake Laura below.

Lake Laura below

So I hear there are two ways to make up to Rampart Ridge behind Lake Lillian.  We did see a faint trail to the left of the lake, which looks like it will tackle Dungeon Peak first, then Rampart Ridge Highpoint.  We took the trail to the right, which climbs up a rock face slightly and then walks along the right side of the lake until you hit the backside of it for a loose rock/dirt climb.

Getting around Lake Lillian 

Once you get up that loose rock/dirt area on the backside of Lake Lillian, the ridge climb is not that back.  The backside is forgiving if there is a fall.  There are many bushes that keep the scrambling exposure to a less nervous level, but ample bushwacking.  Once you get past the first prominence, there is a trail that spurs left along the ridge, with the one on the right continuing to Rampart Lakes (from what it appears to be on maps).  We went left and up the ridge.

Left and up 

Left and up 

Second point, Lake Lillian below.  What a lookout. 

Last good push before a scramble.

Mt. Rainier in the distance.

The view of Lake Lillian below.

The beautiful ridge we just got through climbing.

From that backside, though, you catch glimpse of rolling hills and what looks like a very fun ridgeline that extends even further than you imagined.  I could see why people camp here.  I could hike here the rest of the year and maybe, just maybe, touch ground on the full ridgeline and the
gullies.  It reminded me of Europe.  I could almost hear, "The hills are alive with the sound of music."

We made excellent timing, and after sitting down for lunch, we took some snapshots and went back down, making it a 4.5 hour hike with a roundtrip distance (parking lot to Rampart Ridge Highpoint) of less than 5 miles.  It was enjoyed by the whole family.  Make sure you check out the waterfalls below Lake Laura and between Lake Lillian and Lake Laura.  We filled up our water bottles from their streams.

Mt. Rose

Did I mention how much Lovecake and I love the Olympics?  It seems through our research, on a day's trip, hikes like Mt. Ellinor are hard to find in the Olympics.  On Ellinor looking down to Mt. Rose, we really were not interested in doing it.  However, figuring that we did not have the gear nor did the kids have the experience to continue with the Olympics, we decided we would give Mt. Rose a shot, as our farewell to the Olympics until next year (unless we do Enchanted Valley and the Glacier).  Looking back I would say what a way to bow out.  I thoroughly enjoyed this hike.

To get there, we took I-5 S to exit 104 in Olympia, then exited 101 N to Shelton until we hit Hoodsport.  Might I say that I would enjoy living in Hoodsport.  I imagine myself in that little touristic village, Lovecake working for the diving company there, Amira reading a book on one of the bay decks, ice cream walks... *swoon*  Moving on... So at Hoodsport we took a left on Forest Road 119 until it ended (a little over 9 miles).  Instead of turning right here to Mt. Ellinor, you turn left to Mt. Rose, past the road to the Mt. Rose community and you will see the parking lot sign on the right.  No pass requirement is posted.  You'll walk past 2 streams to the trailhead, where the registry and trail information sheets are posted.

So from the trail map, it is 1.8 miles to the summit loop junction.  Going left is another 1.1 miles to the summit.  If you go right, it is 1.7 miles to the summit.  If you did the full loop, from trailhead and back, it is 5.4 miles.  Doesn't seem bad at all, does it?

We started an immediate elevation gain, switchbacking until you hit the first viewpoint.  From there it has minor switchbacks, mainly a straightforward approach to the junction.  Keep an eye out between switchback 4 and 5 -- there is an eagle's nest in a tree above.

About a mile into it, we were feeling like it was a great workout.  So I hear that this is like the Mailbox of the Olympics.  When I looked at the math of the elevation gain and the mileage, I thought that to be a slight exaggeration.  However, I am a bit shocked at how it really is that steep.  I think it is a good trainer, because it is quite strenuous in its gain, but you have the safety of not having to deal with exposure.  I have yet to do Mailbox.  I would, however, compare this trail to the Old Si trail.  In fact, once you hit the summit loop junction, on the left hand side, after a bit of a bigger climb, you come to this boulder meadow area that reminds me much of Old Si's Boulder Garden Loop.  

We took a few minutes to catch our breath when we got to the summit loop junction, then moved left.  It immediately seemed as if the elevation gain grew steeper; but, alas, it leveled out about halfway through this left side of the loop.  This is the part that reminded me of the Boulder Garden Loop to the Old Si Trail.  At this point we were in the low cloud cover.  It was so serene, especially at a moment of not gaining much elevation in hiking.  I could have camped here, happily, and yet I don't even like camping.  

The last quarter of the way, the elevation tackling started once again for the final push.  Just when you think this little mountain can't get any higher, it does!  You see the red rock of this beauty as you climb through the old burn sites.  I can imagine on a clear day Lake Cushman can take your breath away.  For us in the fog, the climb itself was doing a good enough job of doing that.  

Finally, we made it to the summit, where we had lunch and came to see a lonely bird want lunch too.  Around 45 minutes into the summit lunch break, we heard hikers from both sides of the loop coming.  Up until that point we saw nobody.  What is neat is that today, the day after that hike, 2 hours away from that trail, at the zoo, I saw the left (back) side loop hikers we met on the summit.

As you can see, we did not have a view to look upon.  I really wanted to see the sparkling waters of Lake Cushman, and the reflection of the surrounding summits upon it.  I did have a spiritual reflection on this though... sometimes it is best not to see so far out, but rather to be tucked safely into the cloud -- that is, the presence of the Lord.  A mountain reflection upon the water would have been nice, but, ultimately, the reflection we want to see is the Lord.  How else is that obtained if not in His presence?  So above you see our summit picture, upon a solid rock and yet you can see nothing but the cloud.  I want to be that climber in life, whose end is the Solid Rock and who anyone can see none other than God's own presence in my life.

On the way down we saw another woman who commented on how she didn't think she would make it, then past the junction we met another one who said he did this 3 times and only reached the summit once.  I hope that man made it.  Again, it is not dangerous, just steep.  I enjoyed it with our family, but the fact that it is one of the smaller Olympic mountains and doesn't have much exposure will fool you into thinking this could be one of the first of the year.  We rated it a 7 out of 10, strictly for strength needed and not strategy needed.  The trail is kept up nicely.  It is a completely different experience from Mt. Ellinor, its neighbor.  I imagine, though, that all of the Olympics are unique and one of a kind.  

It took us 2:45 to summit, 55 minutes as a summit lunch break, and then 2:00 back to the car.  Total hike time was 4 hours and 45 minutes, then adding in the 55 minutes for lunch.

I normally don't like forest hikes, even if they have an elevation gain.  This one, though, was beautiful.  I don't know why they named it Mt. Rose, as I didn't see many roses.  (I did, however, see very many spider webs.  This makes sense since there were many gnats and mosquitos).  Perhaps, it is because it, like a rose, is just beautiful.  

Putrid Pete's Peak (P3)

This one had been teasing us since the first week we started hiking this season.  Pictures of its grade (you gain over 3,000 ft in a little over 2 miiles) and the absolute need for scrambling to summit caused us to hold off on it for a bit.  It is a teaser, that's for sure.  It is only a 4.8 mile RT hike, so it definitely calls you, though it is important to be aware that it isn't a walk in the park, no even just a strenuous hike, but one that calls for some care and a certain level of comfort in certain environments in order to keep it a safe and successful summit.

We made it to the trail head at 9:30ish, though didn't start until ten.  To get there, you will take exit 45 from I-90 E, take a left and follow the road, staying left when it forks into another forest road, until you reach the parking lot.  The road has some serious pot holes.  The trail is a branch off of the Ira Spring Trail, so it will need a Northwest Forest Pass to enter [the Ira Spring Trail].  You cannot bypass this as there is a sign at the beginning of the gravel road saying, signifying that point and beyond needs a pass (some 2 miles from the trailhead).  If you do not have a pass, nor purchased an epass, there is a pay station where you place your payment (no cards).

Entering the Ira Spring Trail, you will continue until it makes its first swithback.  Here, there is a clear boot path straight ahead.  You will take this to the summit.  The trail has a couple of forks that lead to other areas, so always take the right/up trail.  At the 11th switchback, there is a fork where both trails lead up, so that is why it is helpful to know take the trail that goes up and right.  The boot path starts becoming a bit more faint as you continue.  As you exit the elevating forest hike, the elevation only gets more dramatic.  You will eventually leave the forest behind and make it to the ridge you must mostly scramble on to summit.

Beginning the ridge ascent

It was a very dry day and the terrain was questionable.  I wondered if moisture, or even snow, would have made me a little less nervous.  The scrambling area often calls for all fours as you are dealing with loose dirt and very steep grades.  That ridge to summit, alone, took us an hour and 45 minutes.  Alas, we made it, and I was so nervous by that point that I stayed tucked into the side of the rock face and stayed put, trying to shake it off before the descent down.  What made me nervous was not the partial rock climbing/scrambling, but climbing loose dirt.  The rock was excellent and you could crab crawl it down with just your feet it offered so much to be gripped; but dirt...you cannot climb loose dirt!  Or can you?!  Apparently you can.  Everyone else was without fear, but this is the first one that my mothering instincts found me...nervous.  To be truthful, I was so nervous I thought I would be sick, a feeling I have never had in climbing.  Hiking with children is different.  I did not get sick, and often chose to put my focus on Brant's feet as he held my hand during sketchy parts.

Some of the ridge's climb until the loose dirt climb

A look at some of the grade on a good section of the loose dirt parts.  You can see the trees below are just that -- directly below.  It's steep!

The last push is a true scramble.

It took us 4 hours to summit.  Yes, 4 hours to go 2.4 miles.  That should give you an idea of the type of hike this is.  I read a report from a while back of a man who took his father and his 6 year old son.  It took them 5 hours to summit.  Hence, if it is to be a family hike, it is a lengthy one.  The north view offers Spider Lake below, the east is Mt. Defiance, the west is West Defiance, and the south is McClellan Butte on the other side of the highway.  We spent 30 minutes at the summit and then began the descent.  It took us 2 hours and 45 minutes to safely arrive back down to the parking lot.  Phew, a good serving accomplished.  I'm a bit apprehensive when I have all my treasures with me, and P3 is just not for everyone.  I read that before, and I will repeat what others have said -- P3 is not for everyone.  We made it safely, but lack of caution, time, and strategy could put you in a precarious situation.  Brant and I both agree that this was about a 9/10 for us (10 being the most dangerous and/or difficult hike we'd do AS A FAMILY -- our rating solo is entirely different), really bordering on that ten.

Good rock

Just about the summit, view west

Summit views east to Mt. Defiance

Summit view northeast

Lake below and behind

Each time we go on a hike, we take opportunity to learn something more permanent.  We always look for the spiritual application as we walk and go higher as a family.  Some things that I reflected on during this hike:  1) There is a portion within the tree line that the grade is the same as that of the exposed area, yet you don't get nervous within the trees.  The exposed ascent didn't change so much as the surroundings did.  This showed me how much we allow our surroundings to influence our confidence, and on the flip side how sometimes having a shorter sight is the better way to go.  Once I saw the full picture (top to bottom), I got nervous; whereas in the same grade, howbeit in the trees where I could only see just a portion, I wasn't nervous.  Spiritually, sometimes I think if we see the full picture we'd cower like a little puppy with its tale in between its legs.  It is often times for our best that we can only see just a portion.  2) When the ground below me was shifting (the loose dirt), Brant literally held my hand while leading me.  I kept my eyes on his feet only and it calmed me.  I stepped where he stepped.  I must remember that when the ground is shifting sand, that Yeshua holds my hand and to keep my eyes on His feet and walk His footsteps.  Take it one step at a time, but making sure that one step is a step He takes.  3) The rock is my friend.  That is what someone told me on one of my first mountain hikes.  In rock climbing, your instinct is to push your butt out, but the correct thing to do is draw yourself close to the rock.  If you fall, you fall back on to the mountain/rock.  Your center of gravity is to always be rock-bound.  On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.  When I got to the top, the first thing I did was hike myself in the cleft of the rock.  I felt safe there.  It reminded of the hymnal, and sang it:  "Rock of ages, cleft for me.  Let me hide myself in thee."

We didn't realize this until after we were already back on I-90, but there is a registry under a flat rock slab on the summit.  It has a picture of Pete Schoenig, the summit's namesake.  He was from Seattle and is known for the K2 belay that saved some climbers back in the 50's.  I have pictures of us on the summit, but that registry calls.  A good reason to go back.  I'm sure I'll see P3 again, just maybe not with the children...at this age.

Mt. Ellinor

All of last week we had intended on taking a week off of hiking.  All of last week up until Friday.  Even then, after we changed our mind we decided we really will take a break...from the Snoqualmie/Cascade area anyway.  So deciding to try the Olympics' side, the initial decision was that we would do Mt. Rose, especially since it was one of the permit-free trails.  I read on Washington Trail Association a man's recent trip report wherein he said he took his 6 year old, his 1 year old in a backpack and his wife.  Seemed like an encourager for this family.  However, when we looked at terrain pictures, it seemed like its neighbor, Ellinor, was more of our style.

Mt. Ellinor nears 6,000 ft in elevation, but don't let that scare you -- there are 2 trailheads to summit.  The lower trailhead is fee-free, and is 6.2 miles RT.  The upper trailhead requires a Northwest Forest Pass and is 3.2 miles RT.  However, before the last bend into the upper trailhead parking there is a sign that says "U.S. Fee Area" -- I am making an intelligent assumption, then, that any parking before that point (some dozens of meters) wouldn't require the pass.  Since we were pressed on time, having needed to also go grocery shopping, and since forest hiking (lower to uppper trail path, gaining elevation) is just not my thing, and also since I heard there is plenty of actual rock mountaineering/scrambling to be done on Ellinor, we decided on the upper trail and to use any free time to do some of the traversing along to Mt. Washington.

I remember a mountain I knew I would have to rock climb in Germany, and having thought that taking a cable car to the highest point before I could do the rock climbing would make me less of a mountaineerer, I opted to do some of the elevation hiking to get there.  I hadn't known that the rock climbing would take as much time as it did for strategy and safety (hiking 3 miles is not the same as walking 3 miles; furthermore, rock climbing 3 miles is not the same as hiking 3 miles), and for that reason I ran out of daylight and could not summit.  I learned a lesson to reevaluate what I enjoy more, and what I consider to be an accomplishment:  I am not too proud to bypass the forestry ascent to swap for more rock climbing and ridgelining time.

The plus side from looking at the numbers and others' reports is that taking the lower ridge gives you a nice warm up with its easier ascent unto the upper trail.  The upper trail tackles the elevation very quickly.  The first half of the upper trail starts with a straightfoward and upward approach, then switchbacking until some exposure where the terrain gets rocky, but generally safe.  This starts the later half (in time anyway).  At times the rocks work like stairs -- stairs of rocks that are as vertical as they can be before rock climbing.  The rocky mountaineering often requires long legs.  Some parts to summit even require a help of pulling yourself up with your hands along the rock.  Before you reach what probably is considered the leftmost (from the trail) prominence, you will walk the avalanche chute.  After that you will be alongside the ridge until you are scrambling for your piece of the summit.

It took us 2 hours to summit, we spent an hour up there, and then 1.5 hours to descend.  We were going to try some of the ridgeline traverse to Mt. Washington, but there did remain large patches of ice, so it did not seem like a smart idea.  It offers 360 views -- to your east is the Hood Canal, the Puget Sound, and Mount Rainier in the distance; to your west is a neverending view of the Olympics; to your south is Lake Cushman; and to your north are mountains like Mt. Constance and The Brothers.  Just gorgeous.

Exiting the forestry ascent into big views

The terrain after the forestry ascent

Summit, with views to the north

After the avalanche chute

Mountain goats -- can you see them?

Summit, views to the west

View of the southermost prominence and Lake Cushman

View to the east -- Mt. Rainier, Puget Sound, and Hood Canal

On the way up we were asked many times about the children and maybe some let us know of their concern a bit.  Bam interjected with a quick, "That was easy," on the descent.  Amira followed off to a group of trainees (I believe for Rainier) saying how she used to do Bavarian Alps.  Now I wouldn't agree with Bam and say it is easy.  It is difficult, as other official sites rate it, but it is short.  Definitely an interesting family hike and it is so short that you could take your time.

Hall Point, Change Peak, Mt. Washington Loop

Well, I am going to be honest and say we had not intended on doing the loop, nor fully intended on doing Mt. Washington.  It honestly did not interest us to hike that summit.  We did, however, intended on going to Change Peak after Hall Point.  We decided on Hall Point because we were having friends come hike with us, and Hall Point is only 3 miles roundtrip.  So we figured we would lead them up there, and if they were tired they could return back with success of one point, while we would move forward with success of something new into Change Peak, letting it be their decision if they could continue on or not.

Hall Point was a breeze, and of course beautiful.  It never really was that steep to us.  It has plenty of switchbacks; and, yes, though it is a constant elevation gain, it also is only 1.5 miles to get there one way, being one of lesser miles you will find to reach a ridge out in that area.

Hall Point, looking over to Zig Zag

Retracing back to the Hall Point junction there is a sign saying Mt. Washington is 5 miles ahead.  This makes the hike there 6.5 miles.  Again, it was not our intention to get there, but knew Change Peak was along this route.  We continued on it along the creek until we could pass the creek and be on the Change Peak mountain.  This is when we encountered snow.  We continued the trail through parts of the forestry terrain as it came alongside the more stream and a sign saying "Pond Trail," until we hit another sign that said "Shortcut" and an arrow to the left.  We hit that up until we saw a clearance above us with a run off.  Hiking up this run off, we came to where it met the old log road with a sign pointing to the "Pond Trail" from where we came from.  This was a Pond Trail shortcut, rather than taking the trail all the way to the back of the mountain where it meets the logging road.

The logging road's elevation gain was very mild and whipped around the mountain to the other side where there was a junction to go right and down, or left and up.  Obviously, since we're after the summit we went left and up.  I am unsure where right and down led.  We were thinking quite possibly the Great Wall, and maybe this is the way Great Wall Trail hikers make it up to Change Peak.  Might be for another exploration day.  The road swerved around back to the original side of the mountain where we met up with the hikers and their dogs whose footsteps we had been following in the snow.  We told them about this loop we heard of and asked if they were familiar with it.  They said they were, and also have come up to Mt. Washington through the other end, which is the back end of our loop, and that it was significantly easier to exit that way.  What none of us realized up until we made it to Mt. Washington was that you actually had to summit Mt. Washington to find that trail and make the loop.  We were under the assumption that after Change Peak's saddle (slightly past Change Peak) the trail had a junction you could either go one direction to get down or the other direction to summit Mt. Washington.

Change Peak, looking over to Mt. Washington on the left, North Bend to the Puget Sound ahead

Change Peak lookout, directly before the saddle.  Mt. Washington to the left, Mts Si and Teneriffe on the right. 

When we got to that junction after the saddle we realized quickly that going left and down was leading to the back of the mountains, where Chester Morse Lake is located -- unlawful area.  We had no other choice but to go to Mt. Washington, where we saw footprints headed in the snow.  We tried to pick up the old logging road on Mt. Washington, even past the line of rocks that are keys to tell hikers this is not the way (the only other option was up to the summit, but we had tired friends with us, we unsuccessfully attempted this as a way to bypass the 3rd summit for their sakes), but quickly found out that it must have been severely washed out over a cliffside as it abruptly ends.  So we retraced back to the point where you have to summit Mt. Washington.  It should have been the only choice as we logically talked amongst ourselves even beforehand that we saw footprints going up there and none coming back, clearly telling us that the backside of this loop must be the official trail to Mt. Washington met on the other side of the summit.  Once we made it up there we were confirmed with that and took Mt. Washington's trail back to the trailhead and parking lot, walking 15 minutes to the Hall Creek parking to our car.  At the bottom, Amira awaited me with flowers she picked as she went ahead of us.

Mt. Washington, view out to Mt. Rainier hiding behind the clouds.  You can see some of the base mixed into the clouds. 

Mt. Washington lookout to Chester Morse Lake below and base of Mt. Rainier in the horizon above Brant's head (rest in clouds).

Chester Morse Lake from Mt. Washington old log road that leads to nowhere.

Mt. Washington summit where the antenna thingy is located, Mt Si over the cooridor.

Mt. Washington Trail, backside of our loop

It is very amusing to me that Brant and I have been wanting to do the new mailbox route (less steep/longer distance) and McClellan Butte, but have shied from it because of the distance being too long for the children, yet when I calculate the official postings of Hall Point Trailhead to Hall Point being 1.5 miles, then from that point it is 5 miles more to Mt. Washington, and from the Mt. Washington Trailhead it is 4.25 miles to summit (the backside of our loop), plus the distance it took to walk to our car.... yeah that put us to about 11 miles.  I guess neither Mailbox's new route nor McClellan is too long for our kids.  Bam was the happiest this hike, and I mean this full hike, only complaining at one point when his feet got cold (not wet) from deep areas of snow.  Elevation is tackled at a mild to moderate rate, but your kiddos will need longevity to make this a family hike.  Nine hours total.

Hiking is an adventure, and we learn that we must remember who is bigger and therefore who is boss:  the mountain, and we are its guests.  From our separate years as hikers and our time hiking as a family, these key pointers have always helped us out in the event that it goes longer, or you get lost and have zero signal without a GPS device:  look for a road/old road and hike it; get a general direction of what is around you by knowing the mapped area and use your phone compass accordingly; when the old road does not lead to where you need to be (like that one that led to the unlawful water reserve), trust other hikers' pointers (snow was extremely helpful due to seeing footprints) -- for instance, had to trust other footprints we saw, using logic that they never came back so that must be the way to go; follow a stream, if available.  If the worst that will happen is that you must retrace your own footsteps the way you came out, then there's no reason to panic.  For this "in case of" plan, don't climb up anything that is more than 70% of your sketchiness limit, because it is amplified on the descend.

Dirty Harry's Balcony & Peak

No spur of the moment, this trip was planned.  We had intended on having guest hikers with us, and from what I researched you could make Dirty Harry's hike what you wanted:  balcony for any level of hiker, museum for a those wanting a bit more, and the summit for the more experienced and/or more prepared.  So we ventured out with one of our guests to the first destination up the trail:  the balcony.

To get there, it is exit 38 off of I-90 eastbound.  Take this road all the way until it ends in the Discover Pass parking zone.  Note, you can park along the street (like we did) before the sign requiring the pass if you do not have one.  Plenty of other hikers did this.  The entrance is directly right of the poster board.  You will have to take this until it ends at a road.  Follow the road (left and up, obviously) a half mile or so and you will see the trail's entrance on the right hand side in between 2 concrete slabs.

From here it is 1.5 miles to the junction to the balcony.  This is an old logging road.  When I say that, it needs to be understood that it is a well overgrown and washed out logging road.  Most of it has a creek running through it.  Hence, it is so washed out most of the hike is like walking atop an old rocky riverbed, since a lot of the dirt has been washed out.

The trail from beginning to end is very well marked by artifacts, along with tree branch piles blocking spur trails that are not the right way to aid with confusion.  It is nearly impossible to miss the balcony junction, but just in case look out for a piece of rotary machinery on the right and a cable along a tree that has rocks piled around it.

The elevation gain to the balcony is a very mild 1200 ft.  The views are amazing over the I-90 corridor and to majestic McClellan Butte directly in front of you.  To the left side you will see parts of P3/Putrid Pete's Peak.  Behind you, you can see the summit and I also believe Coincidence Point (also attainable through this trail).

Balcony

Balcony

Balcony

Getting back onto the trail from the balcony it is an ADDITIONAL 2.25 miles to summit; however, only half a mile to the museum, where you will see the truck.  I mention the distance because there are differing sources of distance - anywhere from 6 miles RT to 10 miles RT to summit.  I am getting my information from the parks' poster on the board at the parking lot.  This means that to summit the total trip from parking to summit and back is a bit over 8 miles.  We were thinking 6 miles and let me tell you it was the longest 6 miles ever (because for us having parked further away it was more like 8.5 miles).  We met a man coming back who said he never did find the rest of the way up to summit -- namely because he was expecting a much shorter trip than it actually was.  Again, why I thought the reader would appreciate knowing just how long the hike really is, per official posting in the parking lot.  The top right of the picture actually says RT 8.5 miles.

To find the museum (half a mile further from the balcony junction), you will cross a good-flowing stream -- just in case of water run-off making possible confusion on the stream, you will see a cable to the right, directly before the stream.  The boot path trail is directly to your right past the creek.  You will have to navigate back through the stream in order to find the path that leads back there.  This is where our 2 older children and our guest stayed (venturing the museum and relaxing by the creek) while Brant, baby, and I went to summit.

Creek

Creek

The elevation gain here is a bit more rough, as is the terrain.  Most of the hike now is on a creeky bed -- wear waterproof shoes!  It is must!  You tackle another 2000 ft elevation gain in this short distance.  The rocky bed is what makes it very exhausting.  All the adjustments of balance makes for a bigger workout.  There are points where it appears there are junctions.  These are false for this summit, as you will note branches covering entrances to said sidetrails.  The one thing I love about this trail is that is shows hikers looking out for fellow hikers.  The path is easy to navigate if you look out for these sorts of signs.  You will switch back and forth for what seems to be endlessly.  I was pretty darn beat.  Towards the summit I was traveling an insanely slow pace.  It took us an hour to go that last mile and a half.  Eeks!  I guess I was almost crawling.  I do love to be served up a good beating while hiking.  Again, this did not disappoint.  Alas, we made it to the summit, which does offer 180 degree views as promised.  The trail ends at a rock edge that makes the summit.  Directly below is the larger of Granite Lakes.  Fellow hikers told us light scrambling to your left will give you views of Rainier.

Total trip was accomplished in 6 hours 15 minutes.  We didn't take the kids to summit.  I barely made it under that very warm, non-overcast sun, so it was a good decision to not even try the children.  No hiking poles needed, but we did pick up a stick each along the way.  Exiting the trailhead, I saw piles of solid sticks.  I realized then, leaving, that these were hiking sticks from previous hikers, leaving them there (one reason) for starter hikers.  Once again, hikers looking out for hikers.  :-)