Before the Forest Service decommissioned that road and made this longer and greater elevation hike, it was a very popular and one I had never done. So for me this was a new trail to explore. For the first mile the trail follows the old road bed be has been well wilded. Then you go off on the old trail and follow that to the summit. It is mostly a gradual every climbing trail with a few steep switch back thrown in. It is a walk in the woods but going up hill. I was about two weeks late for best part of the flower show but there were a few still lingering around. The summit where a fire lookout once stood would have had a great 360 view except the trees have grown up block part of it. The trail was mostly in good shape which was nice.
By the numbers: about 13 1/2 miles, 3150 ft. elevation gain, about 8 hrs. on trail
