The trail is in remarkably good shape with new signage. Basically this hike follows ridgelines the whole time so a lot of up and down without much overall EG. Ended up being around 12.5 miles and 2500 EG on backcountry navigator. There are nice wildflowers early in the year and quite a bit of wildlife. I spooked several pairs of grouse, heard a ton of songbirds, moved a snake, and usually see deer (not today).
The trail winds its way through an old gravel pit which seems to be seeing less and less ATV's/ shooting. Enter a nice maturing forest that is beautiful with green and has some cool boulders. Arrive at the first viewpoint overlooking the Eagle Creek drainage. I love all the old gnarled trees on the cliff.
Continue on through open forest and rhododendrons before arriving at the Mcintyre ridge trail. Stay on Douglas trail and pass wildcat mountain trail on the right. Not much of a view these days. Continue downhill to an open spot on the ridgeline with great views north and south. See Jefferson, Adams, Hood, and St. Helens as well as unique views of the old cascades. There's decent wildflowers on most of the open spots earlier in the year.
- Three Headed Tiger
- Snake
I continued on the steep ridgeline to the intersection with the bonanza trail. Stay straight on what is now signed as boulder ridge (I thought it was plaza until where the now abandoned plaza trail would head down to welches??). Pass an open area on the ridge with more views. Continue to the viewpoint on Huckleberry and enjoy the view. I only passed one other person the entire time.
I meant that I hadn't seen any on this particular route. Trying to give people ideas for day trip destinations to get more people into the area. Cheers!