Mount Walker

April 9, 2016

The trail up Mount Walker is a short, very direct route to the summit, where there are two viewpoints - one to the north and Mount Baker, the other to the south and Mount Rainier. With 2,000 feet elevation gain in just about two miles, this is an excellent conditioning route and you are guaranteed a good workout. For this reason, Mount Walker is a popular trail and sees a lot of use. We arrived at the trailhead early to avoid the crowds and our reward was having the summit to ourselves, shared only with a few chickadees and a handful of Gray Jays (Camp Robbers) who flew in hoping for breakfast.



Calypso Orchid



The road was still closed, so our trek started at the gate, which added roughly 1/2 mile to our journey. Our ascent began as soon as we hit the trailhead; the Mount Walker trail gets right down to business with a steady climb and the 20% grade doesn't let up until you reach the top. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding forest as you stop to catch your breath. Wild rhododendrons grow here and were just beginning to bud, promising color for June's hikers. We were treated along the way to blooming trillium, smooth yellow violets, and a few beautiful calypso orchids. I love the springtime in the forest!





The unrelenting climb finally ended as we made the summit. The views here were of the Olympics, with the morning sun reflecting off a snowcapped Mount Constance and neighbors, the northern ends of Hood Canal and Puget Sound, with Mount Baker rising out of the clouds in the distance. We rested here a moment, then followed the road to the south viewpoint. Here we looked across Bremerton, Hood Canal, Puget Sound and Seattle, with Mount Rainier standing sentry. Both views are beautiful, but my personal preference is that from the northern point. Knowing that I will be backpacking in July in the area I was seeing in the distance, there in the shadow of Mount Constance, brought about a renewed sense of excitement.

Mount Constance as viewed from Mount Walker

We enjoyed lunch at the southern viewpoint, where we were joined by a view Camp Robbers hoping for a handout. When they realized we weren't going to share, they flew off. It was about that time that we, ourselves, decided to take flight and begin our return trek down the mountain. We snapped our group shot, packed up our gear and hit the trail.

As grueling as the climb up is, the descent is worse. On the way up your thighs, calves and lungs get a thorough workout. On the way down the knees, hips and quads take high impact abuse. By the time we reached the 'sanity' of the road, our legs were talking revolt. In the past I have struggled a great deal with the downs. I won't say I didn't struggle this trip, but I definitely feel a smidge of improvement over this same time last year. 

As a note, from late spring through autumn you can actually drive up to enjoy the views, if you are unable to make the trek up by foot.

Our group; Jeanne, Me, Bill, Dan, Myke & Evie

Hike 15:52
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,000'
Max Elevation Achieved: 2,804'