In between, were countless peaks and ridges and jagged bits of rock that I wished I could name. When I was new to hiking, I was intimidated by the elevation gain, 3,950 feet. From the parking lot, it starts to switchback almost immediately, and it continues doing so, through thick forest with few views, for about the first half of the hike. The trail passes through a couple of meadows offering some pretty vistas. There's lots of room to wander around, taking in the views and settling in for lunch. The long descent was tiring on my legs, but I was too happy to care much. Roundtrip, the hike is 8.2 miles with 3,950 miles of gain. From Granite Falls, head east on the Mountain Loop Highway. The air is cool, the bugs are gone and trails are quieter. Matt Riggen, visitor information assistant for the Darrington Ranger District, said this trail offers bright big leaf maples on the lower trail and huckleberries and big views higher up. For those who want a shorter trip, Riggen says a waterfall about 3 miles in is a convenient turnaround spot.