Clouds were low and thick today. From the Mt. Jupiter trail head, looking south to the Duckabush valley, only one hill had its head barely out of the clouds, looking like a small green island. Simply lovely. Brothers can been seen here, all the way till the end. Brothers were named after Arthur and Edward Fauntleroy in 1856 by a pioneer US coastal surveyor George Davidson. 
14 miles RT. Starting elevation 2000 ft. The first 0.4 mile is up a logged slope, no shade, reach the ridge line ~2600 ft. Then the slope levels off, ups and downs, in the woods. At about half way, a rock formation outside of the woods offering a perfect snack stop with clear view. Wild rhododendron were flowering, covering the entire slope sometimes. Bunch Berry flower, Tiger Lily, Columbine, then, Paintbrush, Lupine, Phlox and Penstimon. At the very top, Heathers. Upon entering The Brothers Wilderness at 5.5 miles (elev. ~ 4000 ft), the trail goes up relentlessly. Soon above the treeline. Dry and open, loose rocks at times. HOT! Luckily still some small patches of snow in the last mile (shall be gone in a week). The 5701-foot sunny summit is at the end of 7.2 long miles. 360° view: the entire eastern peaks of the Olympics: Mount Constance (a Fauntleroy sister) and The Brothers. East across the sound, the tiny Seattle cityscape. Beyond, poking out of the clouds: Mt Rainier, and the faint Mt Adams. The fog started to dissipate around noon. Can see (definitely hear) the Duckabush river. Dosewallips valley to the north, Jupiter Lake directly below. 
Started at trail head ~9:30am, reached the top ~1:40pm. Turned back at 2:15, reached the car at 5:30. Total 8 day hikers, 7 backpackers this Sunday. White daisy covered both sides of the road.
On US 101, 13.5 miles south of Quilcene (2.5 miles south of Dosewallips State Park entrance) or ~22 miles north of Hoodsport (0.8 miles north of Duckabush River bridge). Turn west to Mount Jupiter Road, 3.5 miles later, take the left fork for 3 miles. Road impassable for front-wheel drive car. I was too slow to catch other hikers for a ride back. Had to walk an extra 30 minutes to the car.
