Easy drive, nearly empty parking lot at 9 a.m. on a Saturday holiday weekend. The campsite is open so that means the bathrooms are open. Pristine, well-groomed trail, no trash or dog poop bags, fun incline, rushing water, and a few flowers. If you have the steam hit the Mt. Ellenor connector to the view point. Before the left turn for the view point, there is a little field that looks like it could be the view point. Keep going and you'll see a broken sign that says, RLOOK. Take that left. So totally worth the effort. The mountains were all on display. The confluence trail was a bit overgrown and not as impressive as I remember in the past. I'll skip it in the future. Happy hiking! I would love to include pictures but the WTA website is glitching.

First time on this hike but we’ll be back. Very clean and well maintained trail and followed the river for the most part. Some elevation change but our 7 year old handled it no prob...really nice day hike!

This isn't the most exciting hike ever but there's something I really enjoy about it. The forest is still maturing and there is a lot of variety in the understory. 

The parking lot had a few cars when we walked through but I wasn't paying close attention as we had camped at Big Creek CG the night before. The bathrooms are the cleanest privies I've ever been in. We did the loop clockwise.

The first part of the trail is in mossy forest, with some creek access if you want to check that out or have kids who like throwing rocks into water (so, all kids I guess?). Once the trail starts climbing, it dries out a little and skirts a clearcut that has begun growing back. The climb is pretty much constant but the footing is good. Once you get to the top, the best part (in my opinion) begins. You can choose to take the creek convergence trail, or not, either way is good but I like the side trip for the whimsical footbridges. 

The end is all downhill, and the last larger bridge is protected by a rotating crew of bridge trolls, which you may only notice if you do the loop counter-clockwise so make sure to keep an eye out.

We saw a few groups, some with ice axes on their way up to Mount Ellinor, but it wasn't busy. The first time we did this trail, our kids were 2.5 and 3 months, so it was fun to do it again with a 6 and 4 year old. 

Big Creek is in awesome condition. We did the route clockwise, staying on the Big Creek trail the entire time. If the weather had been nicer we would have checked out the lookout point, but the loop alone was perfect for a grey PNW day. 

There's not much parking at the trailhead, but a few extra spots across the road. The lot was full but we only ran into two other people on the trail. The trail itself is in great condition. No obstacles with lots of cool bridges and benches to rest on.

Lots of Trillium and Bleeding Hearts along the trail too!

I was in the area over the weekend so decided to add on this hike today before heading home.  First time to Big Creek campground (still closed), and first time to hike this trail.  Arrived at the trailhead at the same time as a group of about 10 hikers so the lot filled up quickly.  There are lots of signs but basically the loop starts just past the picnic area off to the left and you can chose your direction of travel.  I chose to hike the Upper big creek loop clockwise because I prefer to climb the steep areas rather than descend the steep.  If you hike clockwise, the descent in the second half of the trail is more gradual.  Anyway, the small creeks and streams were quite dry, more than I expected this time of year.  The greenery was lush and the early wildflowers are in bloom (Trillium, yellow violet, bleeding heart).  Big Creek was running kind of high and you could hear the water through much of the loop.  There are a few trail intersections and there are always signs that help keep you on the loop but it’s still good to pay attention and have a map or type of guide if it’s your first time in the area.  I was glad to have a trail description and guidebook map.  I did not go to the viewpoint (see Mt Ellinor) since the Olympic style clouds rolled in prior to reaching this junction.  I hope to see Mount Ellinor by climbing it in the future.  A light drizzle started on my last mile which added to the lush forest and rumbling creeks.  The trail is very well taken care of and the bridges are impressive along the way.  Got back to the campground around 1:15 and headed home.