You have a choice here. You can take the more level route from the Quartz Mt Rd trailhead, which is just about .80 mile, or come up from Quartz Creek Rd trailhead, and climb the mountain. That is about a 1 1/2-mile hike, pretty much uphill all the way. When I set this cache, I walked from the Lower Quartz Creek/Steep Creek/Rd 416 trailhead, all the way to the Quartz Mountain Rd trailhead, and BACK. It was quite a hike! A lot of the hike is in the trees, and I could see the sun shining on this corner from the trail in the deep, dark woods, and I was SO happy to see that there would be sun soon! Except for the open area of the steep hill coming up, this is basically the only sunny spot on the trail. Terrain rating is for the former trailhead listed. It would be upped if coming from below. Enjoy!