Distance done: 8.0km
Elevation done: 620m
The perfect hike to finish a lazy weekend. The trail is dry and dusty with only the tiniest patch of mud to cross. For the first time, we decided to walk *up* the logging road to begin with, rather than stay in the forest, and I think it was the best decision we've ever made hiking this trail. Instead of a boring, punishing descent on loose gravel, we enjoyed a quiet walk back down through the forest. Also, the viewpoint over to the Sunshine Coast becomes one of the highlights of the trip, rather than feeling like more of the same summit view. In actual fact it's a much better view towards the Sunshine Coast than that from the helipad.
I've never really had trouble navigating this trail and was bemused by the various tales of people getting lost or taking the wrong trail. However, today I saw with new eyes how easy it is to go astray. In a couple of places the trail is badly braided with side-trails that peel off. We inadvertently followed one such trail and ended up somewhere we didn't want to be. Thankfully we had only strayed 100 m or so off course.
This trail could do with a bit of attention. It needs remarking with trail markers: in one section on our ascent, the only trail markers are on trees that have fallen. More of the side trails should be blocked off (the trail is getting braided in places), and there are a few fallen trees that should be cleared so that people don't forge new trails off into the forest.
We met quite a few people coming back down the logging road, many of whom were carrying little or no gear. One couple seemed to have an empty Nalgene bottle between them. At the top, I saw someone hiking with a leather handbag (purse). Staggering really, especially on a hot day like today.
Flowers: I always associate this trail with foxgloves, and there are plenty in bloom right now. Other flowers are few and far between. Coralroot is past it, but pinesap is beginning to push through in a few places. Foamflower, twinflower, are blooming here and there, and everywhere the salal's ghostly white bells shine bright. We found twayblade but it too is past its peak bloom and going to seed.
Wildlife: Douglas fir squirrels at/near the summit, a garter snake in the power-line cut on the north summit; brown creeper on a Douglas fir, vultures soaring at the Sunshine Coast viewpoint. No bugs to speak of. Yay!