Trail is in excellent shape. Enough shade to be done on hot day and the waterfall provides ample cooling opportunities. Be sure not to stop at the bring crossing at the small falls, this is only an appetizer for what lies around the corner.

3 Days around Rainer-this was the last hike of the weekend, and I was tired. Planting flowers with WTA and 3 other hikes was taking it's toll on me. But I gave it a good go. Nancy and I packed up camp and made it to the TH by 8:00. Made our way up the butt buster steps and to the falls by 10:00. The rainbow was out. We heard snow and rocks falling from above and watched chunks fall, We saw a old/fat pike we thought might be dead. He didn't move for the longest time. She went on to Van Trump Park and I headed back down and home. Another great hike with awesome company.

This is one of my all time favorite hikes and I usually do it at least once a year. The parking lot had just one spot left when I arrived at 12:30. A caution sign is posted just after the first bridge that states 'steep icy slopes ahead' and recommends an ice axe. However the trail is basically snow free until Comet Falls. There is a few large patches of snow remaining before and after the bridge crossing as you near the falls. As you head up the final switchbacks to the falls, there is several downed trees that you must cross over/under about 3 times. Had the falls to myself--it is running strong with all the meltoff but with the clouds and fog today it was actually difficult to see all the way to the top of the falls. Several steep snow fields remain if you are headed up to Van Trump--I did not have an ice axe or trekking poles so did not attempt. Saw 15-20 people and one chipmunk :)

This was my first venture to Comet Falls. The 300' plus was certainly a draw. Elevation gain in the guide book suggests that the trail gains 1200' in two miles but according to GPS and the altimeter I recorded over 1100' in about 1.4 miles. All in all the early part of the trail was in fair condition. Stunning views of crystal clear waters cascading through granite canyons (ok, I am not a geologist but I think that it was granite). After about .75 miles we started to encounter some steep slide areas that tended towards run out about 100 steep feet down to the creek. No ice axes were on hand but we were able to cross with a minimum of difficulty (I would not recommend trying this for weak of heart or light of insurance) and found them almost a non issue on the way back. At about 1.4 miles the going got very difficult and the trail was terribly hard to follow. Deep melting snow combined to make the trail both difficult to find and possible to navigate. A few snow bridges were crossed in a questionable fashion, and with perseverance we made the water fall. The trail is becoming more visible through the melting snow but some rambling will be required. Stay high above the creek area and you will find the going to the falls much easier. I cannot tell you enough the joy standing underneath this cascading waterfall and watching this water that has been held as ice and snow for months return to the eternal cycle, perhaps to be the same water I swim in months from now.