Mount Rose

Beautiful day to get a good conditioning hike up Mount Rose. We decided to go up down the short loop side, as we heard we wouldn't need snowshoes that way. Not many hikers do the full loop in the winter time. This route is 5.8 miles round trip with 3,500 ft gain.
The first section is 1.1 miles with 1,190 ft gain up to the Mt Skokomish Wilderness border. The second section is 0.7 miles with 1,060 ft gain up to Horsecamp and the start of the border loop. The third section is 1.1 miles with
1,250 ft of gain to the summit.
We didn't see any other hikers out on this trail today.








There are two short bridges crossing the creek near the parking area. A downed tree lies between the two bridges.

There are a few benches along the first section of the trail. On the way down, for the first time, I noticed I could see Mt St Helens above the clouds, between these trees near one of the bridges that was off to the side of one of the switchbacks.

First section done, the next section is the steepest part of the trail.

We didn't see any snow or ice all the way up to Horsecamp, th end of the second section. Here we took the shorter, steeper trail up on the left, heading clockwise on the loop.

Began to see snow at 3,500 ft, not too long after this the snow became consistent and icy in the morning, so we donned our micro spikes.















In the snow, we saw two different colored route markers, and a few different routes taken by previous hikers the snow. I'm certain that every time I've come up Mount Rose, it has been by a different route. No worries as we are always safe, and always make it back down.
Shortly before the last steep up to the summit, there is a broad tree covered ledge that allows for great views.

A couple of views looking  south southwest out over Lake Cushman, and in the distance: Hood Canal, Puget Sound; and Mts Rainier, Adams and St Helens.

As we headed up we could see Mt Washington and Mt Elinor to the east.












Pano from part way up the final 200 ft up towards the summit

Pano from the summit rock looking southwest to northwest

Lake Cushman was a beautiful shade of blue today.
















We needed to be careful during our lunch break as the gray jays are very aggressive here.












The snow was very icy on this top section, but I kept stopping to soak in the views as I carefully came down.

Roadside waterfall not far from the trailhead.