Then it was along Tr 400 and up the Elevator Shaft - where the use trail has gotten still more obvious. There's a lot of poison oak sprouting out where the trail goes through sections of brush and trees.
From the top of the Shaft, I followed the good use trail over to the Oregon Trail Club's Lodge and then another use trail from there up to the Franklin Ridge Trail (427) at about 2100' and followed that trail to its junction with the Oneonta Trail (424). Tr 424 took me all the way to the Larch Mtn Road (NF 15). Except for large blowdowns in a few places, these trails were free of snow and in good condition.
Trillum were blooming at select spots on the forest floor.
Above 3600', however, Tr 424 was covered with snow, as was the Larch Mtn Rd,
the parking lot,
and the fee station.
The day had started out slightly overcast but by the time I reached Sherrard Point, full bluebird weather conditions prevailed and the view was as big as expected. Hood,
Adams,
and all the rest, from Rainier to Jefferson, were in view. Despite all the snow in the parking lot, there was no snow on the paved steps leading to the summit or on the summit. I had the summit to myself until just before I was ready to leave, when one other person showed up. I went down via the Larch Mtn Tr (441), which had only a few patches of snow on it above 3700' and none below. This descent involved crossing the Bridge of Impending Collapse, where a small sign suggests crossing it one person at a time.
After that it was down to the paved "trail" and then some dodging and weaving through the tourists (not too many) back to my car. Someone wanted my parking space so bad they were willing to wait, idling, through my whole post-hike, boot removal, clean T-shirt routine just to claim it. Still, a perfect day for a hike! 16.0 mi, 4300' EG.
