Joan and I headed out to Maiden Peak on Monday morning. Getting there was a snap. Parking at the trailhead is limited to about 3 cars; possibly more squeezing in on the shoulder of the one-lane, gravel Gold Lake Road. If you don't have GPS coordinates for the trailhead, it can be easy to miss. The trail starts on the right (east) side of the road, with parking on the opposite side. There are no big signs, so keep your eyes open as you approach.

When we started out, the temperature was 35f, but we generated our own heat as we climbed and by the time we reached the junction with the PCT, I had removed my jacket.

The trail itself was beautiful! Forested, (mostly) gentle grades, forested nearly the entire way to the summit. The trail is pretty smooth except for the very top, where it passes through a few gravelly sections.

Climbing the west side of Maiden Peak, we were sheltered from the wind most of the way. Once we reached the final switchback to the summit, the wind howled. Once at the top, we quickly put on jackets; the sun was warm, but wind was bitter cold.

The views at the top were amazing on this cloudless day. And being a Monday in late September, we did not see anyone else on the trail. We had the entire mountain to ourselves — a real treat!