Also on this trip

Trails Used

Jewell Trail, Gulfside Trail, Mt. Clay Loop

Trail Conditions

Notes

Had a great hike going up and down on the Jewell. Used Gulfside to summit Jefferson, then backtracked to Mt. Clay and used the Clay Loop to summit Clay. I had never done clay so I figured while I was just bagging Jefferson on the day I would. It's a nice hike up with some awesome views into the Great Gulf of Washington. Awesome views of Adams as well! Not a lot of mud but it's there. Mostly on the lower sections of the Jewell but very avoidable. Lots of people out today enjoying themselves. Shared the summit of Jefferson with about 15 other people at its max, including Adam Hoyt, White Mountain Youtuber. Real friendly dude, and he makes very cool videos, and for me as a mostly solo hiker, its helpful to have an idea of what I'm hiking into. All in all the trails in the Presidential Range are gonna be in good shape until Sundays rain. Enjoy!

Parking

Plenty of parking at the bottom of the Cogg lot. It's $5 to park. Bathrooms available here. Jewell starts across the street.

Water Crossings

Only crossings of note have bridges.

Wildlife

The beginnings of swarms are starting to form where the mud is staying wet on Jewell.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Cog Rail Trail, Gulfside Trail, Mt. Jefferson Loop Trail, Mt. Clay Loop

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Up and down the cog to Jefferson. On the way back, I went over Clay (bypassed it on the way to Jefferson). Spikes from the trailhead to about 4,000, where I put on crampons. The section up through Jacob’s Ladder was, like last weekend, icy enough that I definitely wanted crampons. Once I got to the top of the steeper portion, spikes went on and stayed on the rest of the day, including the descent down the cog. Above tree line is a mix of rocks and frozen granular. In general there’s more rock than not, but I definitely wanted spikes. There are a couple of quite impressive snow fields on the east side of Clay. They’re supportive for now but will likely soften up. No more need for snowshoes if you’re going above tree line and taking the cog both ways. Spikes and crampons only. IMHO an ice axe is overkill but I did see some people carrying them past Jacob’s Ladder.

Parking

Parked at cog. $10.