Day Hike - Wagonwheel Lake & Silver Snag Hill

On the road past the Mt. Rose trailhead, potholes increase, however most vehicles could navigate it. Road into the Staircase area of the Olympic National Park is inaccessible by vehicle shortly past the causeway due to a large washout last year.  Parking along the road at the closure is possible but tight. No permits needed there. The washout area is easy to cross, and it's a pleasant mile walk from there to the trailhead.

Overall, the trail is in good shape, just a couple of small trees easy to step over. We hit snow at about 2000'. Snow was somewhat crusty from having been rained on recently, but not icy enough to need spikes. When it got deep enough to punch through, we donned snowshoes. The snow was surprisingly consolidated, very spring-like and roughly four feet deep. We stopped near the edge of the avalanche chute just before the lake, however, at about 4000'.  Had lunch in the forest under a blue sky. Cold, but no wind. It was a very pleasant day out with fellow Mountaineers!