Stop at Ranger station in Quinault for trail map. Follow the direction to the trail head, small sign on the right pointing the way would be easy to miss so watch your mile markers.
Beautiful hike, but not for the inexperienced hiker. This is not a "maintained" trail. Rocky, rooty and several downed HUGE trees on trail. Climbing over or under (not stepping or hopping, actual climbing involved!) will enable you to continue. A few washouts make the trail narrow in spots and overgrowth make the trail difficult to follow occasionally. At the canyon ( about 2 miles in) the trail goes along the top of a downed tree over a creek/river. We crossed the log the headed up to the waterfall, swam in VERY cold water, had lunch and returned the way we came. It is a challenging, keep your eyes on the trail kind of adventure that we enjoy.
Gorgeous day, no crowds and we will be back!
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A short (but steep-ish) trail that is well worth it. Even in the height of a dry summer, you can really tell you're in a rainforest that get a ton of precipitation. It is decidedly lusher here than, say, at nearby Pete's Creek (as the bird flies). There are a bunch of trees down that you either have to scramble over or under, but it's all just part of the fun.
Right as you are approaching the falls area, the trail seems to split left and right. GO RIGHT through a very obviously brushed section of (I think) salmon berry. The trail to the left peters out into nothingness.
The campsite across the cedar looked simply IDEAL and I was disappointed we weren't staying there! Scramble up towards the falls -- at the very least to the lower edge of the main pool. Right purty place!
Highly recommend this hike -- and the ice cream at the store back south along the access road. Plus, don't forget to visit some of those humungous trees noted on the maps (1,000 year-old spruce!).
5 people found this report helpful
5 people found this report helpful