Did this hike with my 6 and 9 year old and wanted to share that it’s a great training hike for kids because it is short but steep at the end and poses different types of terrain: big rocks to clamber over and stairs, in addition to the road at the beginning. Kids loved crossing several small streams and the roaring falls at the end. 

Started around 1pm on a Sunday. Found a spot at the parking lot from people leaving, but it was not that easy.

A lot of stream crossings, steps are muddy/full of water, and streams occasionally run on the trail. Water proof boots strongly recommended. 

It was difficult to be near the waterfall due to spray. 

I saw a few people (who hiked in flip flops and cotton t-shirt even though it was raining and temperature in the 50s) take a dip in the lake while commenting they might get hypotermia. I don't understand some people...

I woke up this morning to discover a break in the weather from yesterday's massive deluge. I decided it was a good opportunity to check out the falls and see how it looks with all that rainwater draining off. I didn't get to the trailhead until 10:30am though, and I carefully squeezed into the last spot available in the main parking area. Hiking up the road/trail I didn't encounter many people, but runoff was everywhere and the trail was pretty wet. Also the stream you have to cross twice in the beginning was pretty high. By carefully balancing myself on the rocks with a set of hiking poles I managed to keep my feet (mostly) dry, although I did wish I had brought my gaiters.

Once I reached the turnoff to the falls I started to encounter long lines of people coming down, and had to step aside and wait several times. All the little streams were flowing across the trail so I had to keep dancing on top of rocks all the way to the falls. Naturally of course the stairs were water-logged. Predictably the falls itself was roaring, and due to the spray it was hard to take pictures without getting the camera lens wet. I didn't dare try to jump across the water at the rock slab as it was too high and moving too fast.

I then descended and checked out the two lower falls along the trail, which were also flowing quite heavily. On the way back down I encountered another stream of the human kind, with lots of people heading up. I also noticed many salmonberries were out and nearly ripe, with many hikers stopping to help themselves to the bounty.

I returned to my vehicle around 1pm, and saw that the overflow area was partially full. BTW the toilets were also nearly full... gross! Just as I got back onto Hwy 2 a rain squall rolled in, so I timed it pretty good.

Rating:  4 of 5 stars (Great off-season & smokey mountains hike!)
Opinion:  This is a nice hike.  It’s not too long and the elevation gains aren’t too bad.  Most of the hike is on an old road bed, and the grade is nice—until the last half mile, where it gets steep with lots of steps.  This a medium hike. 
There are places we adults needed our hiking poles, especially the last half mile..
There are a few mountain views on the way up.  There are some wonderful rock formations.  A nice hike any time of the year, but a great hike when a lot of other trails are smoked in or snowed in. 
At the top of the falls, you can jump across rocks at the top of the falls and explore and get good pictures that you may not get at other times of the year.
After you visit the top of Bridal Veil Falls, when you get back to the main trail, keep going toward Lake Serene to see lower Bridal Falls, which is right after the big bridge.  (This takes about 15 minutes.)  Right now, lower Bridal Veil Falls has some nice waterfalls and great rocks and rock formations to rest on.  It’s about a fourth of a mile, but much easier grade than going up to Bridal Veil Falls. 
Parking & Road Conditions: For all cars.  I arrived at 11:30 am on a Thursday and there was lots of parking.  The short road off Highway 2 was very bad with pot holes.  However, I think a sedan could make it okay if they drive slowly.
NOTE:  The big problem with this hike is the traffic on the weekend and holidays!  No problem on a weekday.
One holiday Monday took me about 3 hours to get to Kirkland, leaving the trail at 5 pm. 
Snow:  None.
Bugs:  None.
Time:  I’m 66 and it took me
5 hours to hike to Bridal Veil Falls.  The lower falls took another 15 minutes (one way).
Views:  Beautiful forest, waterfalls, and mountains.
Flowers:  None. 
Tree leaves:  None. 
Trail & trail conditions:  Fine.
Bathrooms:  Open.
Food:  In Sultan, the Sultan Bakery has the best bacon that I have ever eaten!  Their home-made bread is yummy!  Their bakery stuff is superb!  Especially the coconut chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies.  Sadly, they are now using canned mushrooms, so skip those.  Their omelets are great and their sandwiches are great.  Add bacon!  They are open to about 6:30 or 7 pm.  Sadly, they were closed on Labor Day and every Tuesday.

Arrived at the trailhead around 7:30AM and easily grabbed a parking spot, although I could tell it was filling up fast. 

Trail was clearly marked and easy to follow. The last half-mile to the falls is mainly stairs. 

Parking lot was very full as I was leaving around 10AM