i rode up the Palisades, and reached Noble Knob. The whole route was in excellent condition. I only remember one tree that required hiking around. And of course lots of steep switches I had to push. (This time). Coming down off the top of Noble Knob was excellent.  Didn't want the fun to end.  Got to the top of Deep creek and stood there a couple mins kind of questioning my resolve to keep it my exit plan. Was glad to have good signal and access to Evergreen, where I could double check the routes value. The top entrance is steep and seemingly straight down, and deeply rutted from heavy brakeing in wetter conditions. The drops off the back sides of each of the water bars/steps were pretty severe. Turned out they were just the entrance exam, and not as bad as they looked. Could take a lot of them obliquely and roll on. Really the deep brake rut was the worst part, and it gladly only lasted a little bit. Once you get down and back into the forest the trail softens up, is covered in needles and gets fast flowy and fun. There are still lots of big drops, and a couple very steep and sharp switch backs, that require extreme attention. Everything connecting the drops and steeps was in great shape. Beautiful single track racing straight down hill through amazing forest and ending at a beautiful little log jam waterfall. Don't miss this. So glad I kept my resolve and didn't take the road out. All together from the Skookum Flats trail head the loop made for just shy of 20 miles, and very nearly one vertical mile of climbing, all on single track. an awesome good time I highly recommend to others.