[Sadie's Driver]

What a treat. Three straight days of hiking. Cousin Clover joined this morning's hike. Sadie is staying in Sequim this week, so the driver decided there must be a hike in the National Forest where Sadie and Clover could go. Sure enough. Five miles south of Quilcene, Mt. Walker awaits - accessible right on Highway 101. Since it was a little brisk this morning (nothing like at Stevens Pass yesterday - it was 20 degrees warmer this morning at the trailhead - a toasty 29 degrees). Since we were in no particular hurry, because the hike is only about 4 miles roundtrip from the trailhead, we got to the gate about 10:00 a.m. Two cars pulled in right behind us!!! The road is gated, but there's enough room for about 8 cars to park off of Hwy. 101.

Gate for Mt. Walker just off Highway 101 - 5 miles South of Quilcene

A couple with a dog started out ahead of us - it's about a 1/2 mile from the gate to the trail head. The other couple were still getting ready when we headed out. There will need to be some clean-up needed before cars will get back up this road.

A few trees across the road

The road to the top of Mt. Walker is 4 miles long. From the trailhead, it's 2 miles - but however you do it, it's still a 2000' gain! Almost a Mailbox or Tenerife trip!

Trail sign at trailhead

New trail pal for Sadie and Clover - Australian Shepherd named Kate

Trail sign for Mt. Walker

Sadie, Clover and the driver left Kate and her owners at the trail register and we were off and heading up, up, up. It wasn't long, maybe a little more than a 1/2 mile, before the driver had to stop and take of the vest, the coat AND the hat! The layers that worked yesterday up to Lichtenwasser, were way too much for today! Plus, this would be a no nonsense hike today. The nice thing is - I didn't have to schlep snowshoes, because today was a total brown hike! The trail winds through a lovely wooded area with lots of wild rhododendrons along the way - bet it's pretty in the Spring.

Rhododendrons all along the trail

Rhodies protecting their leaves from the cold

The trail switchbacks up the south side of Mt. Walker and ends up two miles later at the top of Mt. Walker at the northern viewpoint - somewhere you can drive when the gate is open - but this was so much more enjoyable. Views of the Olympics (Mts. Jupiter and Constance along with Baker) were stunning.

Trail sign on top

On top of Mt. Walker - viewing area looking West/Northwest

Sadie at the Northern viewing area

Mt. Baker from the northern Mt. Walker viewing area - valley below

Secluded picnic table at the northern viewpoint of Mt. Walker

You can walk from the northern viewpoint to the southern viewpoint - it's only a 1/2 mile and gives you a different perspective. There was a light dusting of snow on the top, but nothing significant. Clover started barking and growling when we got to the southern viewpoint and the driver couldn't figure out the problem, but there was something outside of the "biffy" that had her most upset.

Monster on the top of Mt. Walker - South viewing area

until she got brave enough to inspect

Clover investigating the monster

We took in the views from this exposure - lovely

View to the east and Cascades from the top of Mt. Walker from the southern viewpoint

A hazy Mt. Rainier from the southern viewpoint on Mt. Walker and Hood Canal below

Low cloud looking to the south from the southern viewpoint of Mt. Walker

Sadie with Mt. Rainier behind on Mt. Walker

Sun-bright view of Hood Canal from Mt. Walker

As we made our way back to the north viewpoint again, we ran into trail pup Kate and her humans; and then the other couple was enjoying their lunch at the northern viewpoint. I quickly warned them that the thief (aka Sadie) was making a surveillance run, so they'd better be careful! She is known to grab a pb&j sandwich before you can say STOP! Anyway, they were kind enough to take our picture (Clover was being shy).

Driver and Sadie at the northern viewpoint of Mt. Walker

Off we headed back down the trail. Ran into a solo hiker on his way up about 2/3's of the way down; and then on the closed road we saw another couple coming up. Stats: 3 hours car to car; 2000' gain in 2 miles (whew!) total distance: 6 miles. A great little hike. Sadie is resting comfortably in Sequim.

[silly_traveler]

Sounds like a great little hike! Brown trail The last picture is very nice