Yeah we ended up going with the Cascade Loop trail instead of the shorter option. The elevation gain was around 1800 feet but it was spread out nicely over the first two miles. We packed light just water and some trail mix. The weather held up even though there was some chance of rain in the morning forecast. Parking was easy at the main lot by the visitor center. Total time from start to finish was just under five hours including a stop at the overlook for photos. Next time we might try the northern approach since it connects to the ridge trail everyone talks about. I checked the park website and they said the path is well maintained right now so no special gear needed. Just good hiking shoes and plenty of sun protection since a lot of the route is exposed. We started at 7am and it was perfect timing not too many people on the trail yet. By the time we came back down around noon the lot was almost full. If you want to go on a weekend I would suggest getting there early especially during this season. The views at the top were worth the effort and we saw a few deer along the way which was nice. I would definitely recommend this route to anyone looking for a moderate day hike with good scenery.

The lasagna turned out better than I expected actually. I used the no-boil noodles this time and they absorbed the moisture perfectly so the layers held together well. I followed the basic method but added some spinach and mushrooms to the ricotta mixture. The sauce I made from scratch using canned San Marzano tomatoes which made a big difference in flavor. I let it simmer for about an hour while I prepped the other ingredients. The key was letting it rest for at least twenty minutes after baking before cutting into it. That really helped the structure stay intact. I used a mix of mozzarella and provolone on top which gave it a nice golden crust. It fed eight people with some left over for lunch the next day. I am definitely going to make it again for the family gathering next month. The preparation took about twenty minutes of active work and then the rest was just simmering and baking time. I would recommend making it a day ahead if you can because the flavors meld together even more overnight. Adding a pinch of nutmeg to the ricotta gave it a subtle warmth that everyone commented on. I will send you the full recipe if you want to try it yourself.