Peaker - May 1, 2018 5:12 pm Date Climbed: Apr 29, 2018
Quick Hike
A fast and easy 13 miles on a cloudy day, not too bad as far as low elevation prominence peaks go
gimpilator - Oct 19, 2016 7:57 pm Date Climbed: Oct 19, 2016
Lame hill
Used bicycles. The last mile of road is getting somewhat overgrown. WA P2k 82/144
Dundeel - May 27, 2015 7:42 pm Date Climbed: Apr 5, 2008
E, I, E, I, O
Snowshoe hike. Easy to get to and no crowd.
Boonie1 - Mar 10, 2014 11:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2011
McDonald Mountain
My folks live down at the bottom of the red route. Go up blue, come down red.
kevinsa - Oct 26, 2013 2:26 pm Date Climbed: Oct 26, 2013
McDonald Mountain
Took the "blue" route as shown on the map. The first mile was absolutely terrible for the bike. I'm thinking bikers would prefer to use the "red" route, but I can't say for certain as I didn't go that way. At the gate just past the borrow pit, I noticed a restricted area sign. Not sure if it was strictly legal, but I took the "black" route via the ridge to the summit. Clear skies above 2800' with nice views of Rainier.
The road is pretty tore up lately, lots & lots of ditches dug out in the middle of the road for the first few mile. Lots and lots of ups. & downs. Kinda sucks now. Used to love this hike. Quick, fairly easy, and long. No crowds...the best part!
Sunny day in early April. More snow than I was expecting, but it has been a cold wet Spring. Constant snow started just above the prominent switchback at 2400. There did not appear to be any recent traffic beyond the turnoff to the radio tower.
Redwic - Dec 30, 2010 9:35 pm Date Climbed: Dec 30, 2010
Sun, Snow, Chilly
A long, boring slog to the true summit. Uneventful, except for a little snow at the upper elevations. At least I have most of the western Washington "dumpster dive" P2Ks done with, as I have no need (or desire) for return trips to places such as this!
BKW - Nov 14, 2009 12:36 am Date Climbed: Nov 11, 2009
Quick Morning Hike
Despite a dismal forecast we hiked McDonald on Veteran's day. We were rewarded with clear skies and crystal clear views of the lowlands and Olympic Mountains. We pushed our bikes up to 2200 feet. Snow started at 2500 feet.
ericnoel - Oct 6, 2009 1:32 am Date Climbed: May 25, 2007
McDonald
Hey, this is one I climbed with Dean. On a bike, at least partly. We saw a bear trying to get at some red gatorade in a bottle.
Peaker - May 1, 2018 5:12 pm Date Climbed: Apr 29, 2018
Quick HikeA fast and easy 13 miles on a cloudy day, not too bad as far as low elevation prominence peaks go
gimpilator - Oct 19, 2016 7:57 pm Date Climbed: Oct 19, 2016
Lame hillUsed bicycles. The last mile of road is getting somewhat overgrown. WA P2k 82/144
Dundeel - May 27, 2015 7:42 pm Date Climbed: Apr 5, 2008
E, I, E, I, OSnowshoe hike. Easy to get to and no crowd.
Boonie1 - Mar 10, 2014 11:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2011
McDonald MountainMy folks live down at the bottom of the red route. Go up blue, come down red.
kevinsa - Oct 26, 2013 2:26 pm Date Climbed: Oct 26, 2013
McDonald MountainTook the "blue" route as shown on the map. The first mile was absolutely terrible for the bike. I'm thinking bikers would prefer to use the "red" route, but I can't say for certain as I didn't go that way. At the gate just past the borrow pit, I noticed a restricted area sign. Not sure if it was strictly legal, but I took the "black" route via the ridge to the summit. Clear skies above 2800' with nice views of Rainier.
marieg - Dec 14, 2012 11:59 pm
Near home, many timesThe road is pretty tore up lately, lots & lots of ditches dug out in the middle of the road for the first few mile. Lots and lots of ups. & downs. Kinda sucks now. Used to love this hike. Quick, fairly easy, and long. No crowds...the best part!
bigjoesmith - Apr 8, 2012 4:28 pm Date Climbed: Apr 7, 2012
McDonald in SpringSunny day in early April. More snow than I was expecting, but it has been a cold wet Spring. Constant snow started just above the prominent switchback at 2400. There did not appear to be any recent traffic beyond the turnoff to the radio tower.
Redwic - Dec 30, 2010 9:35 pm Date Climbed: Dec 30, 2010
Sun, Snow, ChillyA long, boring slog to the true summit. Uneventful, except for a little snow at the upper elevations. At least I have most of the western Washington "dumpster dive" P2Ks done with, as I have no need (or desire) for return trips to places such as this!
BKW - Nov 14, 2009 12:36 am Date Climbed: Nov 11, 2009
Quick Morning HikeDespite a dismal forecast we hiked McDonald on Veteran's day. We were rewarded with clear skies and crystal clear views of the lowlands and Olympic Mountains. We pushed our bikes up to 2200 feet. Snow started at 2500 feet.
ericnoel - Oct 6, 2009 1:32 am Date Climbed: May 25, 2007
McDonaldHey, this is one I climbed with Dean. On a bike, at least partly. We saw a bear trying to get at some red gatorade in a bottle.
bikejr - Sep 8, 2009 1:35 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2009
McDonald on a sunny dayIt was a beautiful sunny day in contrast to 5 days later with rain and in and out views.
EastKing - Sep 7, 2009 9:52 pm Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2009
Last minute tripWent back to McDonald Mountain to finish off the mountain. It was the quickest 15 miles I have done (3 1/2 hours)