Humpback is an unofficial trail. After a lovely road walk past a truck that has seen way better days and the quarry that has been most recently used by less than awesome people there's a little trail that heads up the hill. It's not bad, as trails through third-growth go. There's some moss and some sallal, but mostly it's just a quick climb up through the scrub trees.

Where the trail earns return visits (this was trip number four) is when it enters the second growth forest. Big trees and a moss lined trail. The first section switchbacks through the forest, but higher there isn't much of the mountain to use for switchbacks. The trail follows the narrow ridge, sometimes requiring some creative moves in the snow and ice.

Being a relatively western peak of the Cascades, Humpback is blessed with tons of wet snow being blown in. The trees near the summit are fully caked with rime that looks a little like the dryer vent was blowing directly on them. (But without the Downy Fresh smell or Snuggle Bear.)

The summit was cold and the views were non-existent. We didn't stay long, but it was nice to be back in the snow. (The only other snow this season was a month earlier on Snoqualmie Mountain.) From here on out just about every trip will have snow until some time next summer.

If you love snow, you can't help but love the PNW.