Quick, Steep and Quiet- Good for training.
Michelle Peterson
The trail is is decent condition, with some downed trees that are pretty easy to get over or around. The trail bed itself is showing signs of erosion from switch back cutting and weather/fire.
Above the 5500 ft there is light snow on the trail, and the trail bed becomes a rut that is pretty hard to stay in.
Leaving out of the Alta Crystal resort area, it's pretty confusing, especially on a dark, fall morning. I ascended to the Noble Ridge trail in 2 hrs. and 45 minutes, including snack and photos of Rainier in all it's glory.
However, the trail is very quiet and I had it all to myself on a gorgeous Sunday morning, while the Noble Ridge trail was definitely more populated.