I chose Polallie ridge for this sunny, clear August day, because I was expecting frequent panoramic views. Instead, the trail was wooded for the first five miles, with only one or two glimpses of the surrounding Cascades along the way. Once the ridgetop is attained, the 360-degree view is spectacular. If the view or lookout is your objective, I recommend you try a different trail, like Tired Creek, to get there.
Photo: [Top] A photo can't do justice to the great view of Mt. Rainier from Polallie Ridge; [Bottom] Diamond Lake, with snow on its shores, was my base camp.
From the Salmon La Sac trailhead, this trail immediately passes a three-way junction with the Waptus Lake trail (almost flat all the way to a large lake, very popular in the spring), and the trail to Cooper Lake (not worth hiking, in my opinion, since you can drive there). All three are open to horses. Did you remember to pack the Jungle Juice?
The first mile unapologetically gains 1000'; the second mile is steeper. At 2.3 miles, 4100', there is finally a view to the brown east Cascades. From here, the ascent is calmer, ducking and weaving its way to the wilderness boundary. At the ALW boundary, 3 miles and 4500', is the first brief view of a glacier-clad peak. Almost half the elevation gain is behind you now, and the remainder is gained in short bursts.
Between here and the destination is a series of basins with small hills separating them. The first basin is a tiny marsh with a stream, the first water on the trail, at about 3.3 miles. This is where I passed the sixth and last person I would meet on the trail all weekend. At 4 miles, 4900', is Diamond Lake, nothing special as Alpine Lakes go. The best campsites are on the north side, uphill from the shore. I went for a quick swim, and the water was tolerably brisk. The mosquito population is very healthy here, and they are aggressive--they tried to steal my clothes!
The third basin is a grassy meadow with a stream; the fourth is smaller and marshy. Each have campsites. The typical profile is a 200' drop into each basin, then a 400' climb out before descending into the next basin. After the fourth basin, the trail heads up toward the 5540' ridgetop. Horsemen believe the best route is a straight line, so they let the horses do the work--and the damage. Thus, after 5 miles, some side trails climb immediately to the ridgetop, while the main trail climbs more sanely. It, too, attains the ridgetop and eventually reaches the site of a former fire lookout cabin, now gone.
The views on a clear day are spectacular. Mount Rainier to the south, glacier and snow-covered peaks to the west and north and, by contrast, the dry side of the Cascades to the east and south. It's all close, clear, and beautiful. The ridgetop is bare granite, except for grass and wildflowers. It's a great place to sit for a while, and you'll feel like it after making this hike. Go ahead, rest up, because the return trip entails an elevation gain of 1010' as well as a 3160' drop.
This trail continues to the Waptus Pass junction with the Quick Creek and Tired Creek trails. For a longer trip, you can loop back via Pete Lake and the Cooper Lake Road, or continue to Waptus Lake and loop back via the Waptus River trail.
Stats: 5.5 miles, elevation gain 3160', loss 1010', high point 5560.
Getting there: Drive via Roslyn to the Salmon La Sac trailhead.
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.