This was our first hike in WA. A gorgeous falls! There were lots of pikas on the trail once we reached the rocky part of it. They were so cute and squeaky. We hiked with my 5 year old daughter and she loved it when the pikas would scurry around our feet. We only hiked to the falls and then back to the parking lot because it started to rain and we didn't come prepared for that!

Great hike, one of my favorites! A ton of awesome views on the way to the falls and the falls are well worth the tough hike!

Got to the trailhead at 9 a.m. -- surprise! -- lot already totally full. Had to park 3/10 of a mile down the road by Christine Falls and walk back up the road to the trailhead. Trail to the falls in fantastic shape -- no snow, no bugs, no issues. Some in our group ventured up the trail to Van Trump Park and reported some wildlife in the form of horseflies and some patchy snow. But no bugs to the falls. The falls were raging -- approaching them on the final switchback resulted in a good, cold soaking from the spray and mist -- refreshing but don't plan on having lunch near the base of the falls! A few flowers (not many) along the way. Saw some avalanche lillies, columbine and blue bells among others. No salmon berries yet -- the plants were just beginning to flower. It may be summer in the city, but it is still spring in the mountains. A tip to those new to this hike -- do not mistake the first falls with the log footbridge for Comet Falls. Although this waterfall is itself gorgeous, the best is yet to come. Make sure you cross the log bridge and pick up the trail to Comet on the other side. Views of Comet begin almost immediately on the far side of the log bridge. Make sure you don't miss it. About five miles roundtrip to Comet, about six roundtrip to lower Van Trump Park.

The hike to Comet Falls was spectacular and completely snow-free. Maybe our favorite hike so far in the entire park! There were lots of avalanche lilies as well as some columbines, Sitka valerian, and more. We did hit patches of slushy snow between the Falls and Van Trump park, but these were easy enough to navigate. Van Trump was completed covered by packed snow, but it was slushy enough not to need snowshoes. We heard reports of mountain goats but didn't see them ourselves. The parking lot was full when we arrived- busy for a week day. This is a strenuous hike, though we saw lots of children and older people with hiking poles.

We started our hike at 5pm so we would get less sun and heat. The trail is in great condition and is dry, no more snow anywhere up to the Comet Falls. Wildflowers blooming (Columbine, Avalanche lilies, salmonberries, and little blue ones I don't know the name of) and there are little and big waterfalls all along the trail. The Comet Falls were massive, sending spray all around it. We didn't have time to hike any higher than the falls but the trails was dry for as far as we could tell. I bet there's still snow at Van Trump Park though. Great time to go right now because of the intensity of the water from melting snow and wildflowers blooming. Oh, and we also saw a bunch of pika!