First of all, it was a lovely hike. It was a hot day and this trail provided the perfect amount of shade. Things to know : 1. If you type "Coal Creek Falls Trail Head" into your GPS, it will take you to a different parking lot from what's listed here. It's higher up, so you start the hike going downhill and end coming up. It's all connected though. 2. If you want to find the parking lot listed here, look for the "Red Town Trailhead". 3. The map at the trailhead is pretty worthless. It's small, hard to read, doesn't show you where you are, doesn't have trails color coded, and gives you no information about the various trails. 4. There are signs at all the trail junctions, but you need to already know which trail leads to what other trails to know where to go. 5. If you get lost, use Google Maps; the trails are on it and it can show you the way. I took my mum out for an easy hike, and this was just the ticket. We started at the Red Town Trailhead, and hiked to the falls. There was significantly less water than 2 weeks earlier and the bugs were already bad! We decided instead of turning back at the falls, to keep going over the bridge and onward because we were told that it loops back to the parking lot. But, soon it leads to a juncture and there is no information on the sign about which way to go to get back to the parking lot... So I pulled it up on Google maps and it showed us which way to go and which trails to take. According to the Map My Run app, it was 3.58 miles total, with a 534ft elevation gain, and took us an 1:10. overall it was a nice hike. Footing was good, dry but not too hard or dusty. It was a Tuesday, so not too many people, and they were mostly on the main trails. I recommend studying the trails or having a map and bringing your phone so that you don't get lost. I also use Map My Run, which tracks your path, so I can use this to figure out which way I need to go to get back. On the map of our trek that I've posted here, the first (and top) sharp turn is the falls.

Arrived at trailhead around 9:45 and was completely packed. Have to keep driving north and parked in next trailhead and hike to Red Town Trail Head. This added about .5 miles but kids enjoyed it as we found a little water fall along the way. Took the suggested route on WTA to the falls. The kiddos complained a bit due to the elevation change on the way to the falls trail spilt. But all three made it and we're delighted to see the falls. Overall great little day hike to get the kids on.

We went without a map and had a bit of a confusing start towards the falls from the Sky Country trailhead, but once we found our way it was smooth going! No bugs to contend with and no obstacles on the way! We traveled with a dog and 2 younger kids without any issues. There were plenty of other hikers and dogs on the trail, and I was very pleased that everyone kept their dogs leashed here! The kids were excited to see the waterfall and touch the cool waters while climbing around some logs and stumps. A great place for adventurous kids!

Lots of families and dogs out on the trail today. Dry conditions on the trail; one little patch of mud by the little bridge at the falls. Waterfall was great! The kids enjoyed playing around the waterfall and stream.