We got to the lot at 9:20am.  We didn’t know if we would get a parking spot since there are only 8 spots.  Thankfully we got one and was able to start our hike at the Rhus Ridge trailhead.   It was a steep start.  The first mile was a glute burner. The next 2.5 miles are easier very gentle incline compared to the first mile. The last 1.5 miles will raise your heart rate again.  I wore boots not knowing how this trail would be.  However; I would wear trail shoes if I did this hike again. Parts of the trail were muddy due to all the rain we have had, but I was very impressed overall at the quality of the trail. This won’t be a problem in the next month or so.  We saw a lot of runners on this trail but cyclists were not allowed. Making it easy to pass fellow hikers.  There was a lot of shade on the trail; it will help as the temperature warms up.  We had gray sky’s but we climbed pockets of blue sky could be seen across the landscape.