Trail Ratings

Assigning a rating to a certain hike or trail is a lot like trying to "rate" ice cream brands.  One brand may be rich and creamy and reasonably priced but not particularly flavorful.  Another may be supremely scrumptious but the tremendous amount of effort to secure it makes it nearly inaccessible to the "average Joe."   Another may be readily available, moderately priced and luscious but melts too fast, has a texture like a Brillo pad or comes in just one flavor.

The same is true with rating a hike.  One person's treasure is... well.  You know.  It's an ambitious - maybe even a foolhardy - undertaking.  (What's that Shakespeare said about "fools rushing in where angels fear to tread"?)  Anyway, here's the bottom line:

- I've personally hiked every trail listed, at least once. 

- Every hike listed in The Gambol Gazette is worth taking.  (We've left the Tofu and alfalfa sprout-type hikes for someone else to discuss.  Every hike in TGG is pure dessert!)

- Since hiking is one of our family's favorite outdoor activities, the bulk of these hikes are rated with "family" in mind.  (Note: Several of these hikes would be beyond the abilities of most toddlers.  Depending on the individual child and how used to hiking he or she is, some of these adventures may be appropriate for ages five or six.  If you're a parent reading this, it's strictly your call.  Age seven or eight and older is the target.)

- Our favorite Northwest hiking site is Mount Rainier National Park.  Our love affair with this grand old park dates back to the sixties.  Hence, while several other areas and sites are included, the bulk of the entries and adventures in TGG are related to Mount Rainier.

- Hikes are ranked on my highly subjective ice cream scale which ranges from: Store Brand (SB), Jerseymaid (J), Haagen Dazs (HD) to Hand-Cranked Homemade (HCH).  More on this below.

- Sometimes the difference between an HD or a HCH hike may be miniscule - predicated upon the season, the weather, the amount of snow or wildflowers on the trail, the scenery, proximity to clear blue lakes, rivers or streams,  or the number of fallen logs you have to scramble over to reach your destination.  All of them are among the best we've found in our nearly ten years of hiking the Northwest.

- Make sure you're properly attired - dressed in layers - and properly prepared prior to any hike.  Always, always, always carry The Ten Essentials.  Don't even *think* of heading out on the trail without 'em.  While you're at it, make sure you check the weather report before hitting the trail as well, especially at Mount Rainier National Park.  See the Intro page for more.

Rating System

I've devised a rating system that connects my love of hiking with another love: ice cream.  :)  Here's how it works:

Jerseymaid (J): Lots of fun.  Interesting sites, history, discoveries; a good trail for family memories.  Satisfying and tasty.

Haagan Daz (HD)s: Aw, now we're talkin'!  An ambulatory delight.  Rich and creamy, melt-in-your-mouth flavor.  You could take this trail once and die happy.

Hand-Cranked Homemade (HCH): My highest rating, reserved for the best of the best.  The physical and aesthetic rewards of this hike are worth the exertion.  If you doubted divine creativity or providence before striking out on any of these trails, you'll become a true believer before you finish.  You must take this hike for your life to be complete.