Wretched nightmares come to mind when thinking back about this hike. The sole reason I did this hike is to knock it off the 103 hikes book. The trail is long, and unmaintained. Steep sections included many trees blown over forming an abundance of obstacles, devil’s club cuddled up to the trail, and loose soil. The loose soil does not sound too bad until the trail requires ropes to assist crossing straight sections. Additionally, as if we were not struggling enough, there was snow threatening to hurl you off a cliff with a single slip. This is not a trail I would ever want to do again, or recommend anyone attempt.
We approached this trail from an older description of the trail, starting at a forest service road near a national defense training area. The road to the gate was riddled with potholes, making for an uncomfortable ride to the trailhead. Additionally, the gate is not in the location specified in previous editions of 103 hike books. On our ascent to the trailhead, I genuinely believed that the actual trail would be better than the “road.” I could not have been more wrong.