With record breaking heat descending on the PNW, I sought relief in the mountains and took advantage of the snow melt to photograph wildflowers. I really enjoyed this loop and until recently it was not on my radar; nor others apparently because very few trip reports were available at the WTA.

The trail ascends steeply right from the start with laughably short switchbacks, some only a stride or two in length, and continues in much the same way all the way to the ridge. What makes this particular trail somewhat unique for the NE corner of the Olympics is the lack of miles of forest hiking, you get to open views pretty quickly.

There’s a nice stream / waterfall about a mile from the trailhead and later a small meadow with wildflowers where I spent time photographing flowers and avoiding the sun.

The last section of trail before reaching the ridge

The views from the ridge are expansive and wonderful in all directions.

Spectacular lunch spot on the false summit of Tyler Peak

A small group of hikers on the last section of trail before reaching the ridge line

After walking along the ridge I wanted to find the Maynard Burn Trail which I did not find immediately, I had walked past the un-signed trail. After a minute or so of looking I found the trail just inside the trees prior to descending from the trail up to Baldy.