This lush, moss-laden forest is reminiscent of Olympic Peninsula rain forests, for good reason. The western foothills of the Cascades can get twice as much annual rainfall as the Puget Sound area, making the low forests of these regions wet, mossy, and rich in plant (and animal) life. In short, a rain forest. This trail is short, but scenic--perfect for late-season hikes when the days are short and hiking time is at a premium. The trail leads past the base of a small cascade on Snoquera Creek, best viewed in late spring and early summer when the deep snowpack is melting, forcing impressive amounts of water over the rocky falls.

The trail angles into the forest on the northeast side of the highway, climbing gradually through the nearly dripping cedar and hemlock forest and sweeping carpets of moss--in the spring spotted with splashes of yellow and white (skunk cabbage and trillium), and in the fall with gar-lands of red and umber (Oregon grape and drying ferns).

The trail steepens after the first 0.5 mile as it veers right at a trail junction. From the junction, the trail slants up the lower slope of Little Ranger Peak. Big-leaf maples and a few scrub oaks now fill the spaces between the hemlocks and Douglas-firs.

At 1.2 miles the trail drops into a little rocky basin, filled with maples, and crosses a small stream below the fantail waterfall on Snoquera Creek. This pretty falls can be roaring in the spring as the winter's snow-pack melts, but it can turn off, leaving just a trickle, later in the fall. For the full experience, plan to visit at least twice to see the difference in water levels and how it affects the whole basin.

From the waterfall basin, the trail continues north, rolling along the base of a steep, rocky slope for 1.5 miles before descending a few short switchbacks to a junction with the lower valley trail. Turn left and follow this trail south 1.3 miles, passing the Boy Scout camp before returning to your starting point.