Awesome day on the Upper Big Creek Trail. We arrived at the near empty lot at 10 a.m. on a Wednesday. Last year at this time, no one was working because of the pandemic and all the parking lots were full during the work week. It was weird to have it so empty. The toilets were clean and fully stocked with TP. The trail was in excellent condition. The work crew that care for Big Creek is amazing!!! Everything is green and full. Not a lot of flowers, just the little ground cover guys that are cute. The water is raging. It's a quick hike with a massive incline that is relentless if you go clockwise (the best way to approach this hike if you have issues with your knees), but there are plenty of benches and beauty to help catch your breath. This is a total PNW hike. Happy trekking!

I love this hike! For 3 reasons in particular today.

1. The wildflowers. Right now there is a lovely variety of woodland plants blooming their hearts out. If you love wildflowers, bring a handy guide with you to help you identify them.

2. The shade. It is going to be a scorcher coming up here, and this loop is entirely under light-to-heavy tree cover. Start early both to avoid the crowd and finish before the afternoon heat sets in. Then go home and take a nap.

3. The benches. If it does get too hot for you, then you can literally rest assured on one of the many lovely seats along the way. The trail maintenance crew has even installed a few new ones! I can't think of a trail that is more lovingly tended than this one. You'll see evidence of care - and humor (for example at the "troll bridge") all along the way.

It was such a joy to be out on the trail today. Though there were not many other hikers (being a Tuesday morning), everyone we ran into was very happy and friendly. I think we are all just so relieved to have more free range - and to be able to see each others' faces. Enjoy!

We hiked up to the overlook and did the loop clockwise.  Trail is in amazing shape and always pleasantly clean.  There are some flowers but it is primarily a deep woods hike.  Rhodies blooming at the overlook.I

Starting to see some mosquitos but did not use spray and no bites.

A rare solo hike for me. Went on a Monday and saw maybe 6 other people the whole time. The hike included interesting wildflowers, lots of birds, and a nice sunny rain shower to remind me where I was. There are also many paths off the main trail to go down and enjoy the creek. I think I accidentally did the whole camp ground loop before hitting the big trail, so it was 5 plus miles in all.

Every trail is a collection of pros and cons, and while one calls great views, I gave it five stars because it excelled in so many other areas.  The crew that constructed and maintains it do a superb job, maybe better than any trail I've been on.  The trail surface is smooth and solid, even on 40-degree slopes.  The water diversion cuts are made with beefy rocks and logs. 10-20 oversized benches are made with 2"+ boards.  And the trail is very well signed.

Having cascading creeks alongside you for much of the hikes was a real plus, both visually and audibly.  The variety of plants was great. Spring is a favorite time for me.  We spotted the last blooming trillium, and first blooming salmonberry.  Bear grass was going to town down near the bottom. One massive rock face was totally covered with moss, and smaller rocks was mostly covered in moss that comes in interesting lines, as paint strokes.  We took a side detour up to the Mt. Ellinor viewpoint (not that great a view, actually), which adds 2 miles and ~800 feet--which was a bit touch on my old knees coming down.  

Overall, a terrific hike, and a pretty short drive for us, with a nice coffee stop in Hoodsport.  I hope volunteer some on trail maintenance after my upcoming retirement.