Longtime lurker, first-time poster.

I think it's worth quickly noting that this hike is NOT, in fact, good for kids right now (and maybe ever).  The trail is narrow in places with steep and unforgivingly long, often wet and slippery, slopes into the ravine just one misstep away.  There are several water crossings that I wouldn't want a kid to attempt.  I was glad to have my hiking poles with me.  Gaiters also proved to be essential.  It wasn't the snow that ultimately forced me to turn back approximately 3 miles in; it was an impassable water crossing.

But seriously, this hike is currently an objectively bad choice for kids, poorly behaved dogs, and Raoul Duke types.

I got to the trailhead around noon.  Cathedral Falls were spectacular.  It was a real treat to be able to walk not only behind the falls, but also up and around them for viewing from above!  The sign at the fork 2ish miles in is deteriorated and could stand to be replaced.  I learned on my return trek that going to the left (Tumwater something?) yields no prize: another impassable water crossing almost immediately.

I put my gaiters on at the fork before proceeding to the right.  It was a good move.  Snow levels varied from 0 - 24'' over the next mile, but even when it was deep I experienced very little post holing.  This native Minnesotan loved traipsing through the snow!

The snowmelt was an incredible companion most of the way.  As much of a reason to do this hike as Cathedral Falls maybe.  At times peacefully tinkling down from moss into small puddles, and at times ragefully pounding the rocks that mark its route downhill.  Crossings were the right combination of sketchy and fun.  The one I decided I couldn't cross was too wide with too few rocks/too little debris to scamper across. 

I had clocked 400 ft. of descent and 900 ft. of ascent to that point, so by the time I got back to the car my legs had logged 1300 feet of elevation gain.  I liked that the trail rolled and wasn't just up-up-up-up-up and then down-down-down-down-down.  My knees and ankles were very appreciate.

Saw one person on the way in.  One group of four and one other solo person on the way out.  The two solo guys were both super friendly -- it's always nice to share smiles on the trail!  I was back to the trailhead by 3pm.

There was one tree across the trail.  I can't recall if it was before or after the falls, but it's plenty easy to crawl over.

Nice to get back into the hills. Road was snow free to trailhead. Trail was snow free until 2700’. Great hike … waterfall was really flowing. Saw a couple other hikers enjoying. Filled in 2.25 miles and hit snow.

Spring is a good time to visit Cathedral Falls. So thought hiking buddy Keith and I as we turned off Highway 12 and drove down to Taidnapam State Park (where restrooms can be found). The trailhead is on the other side of the Cowlitz River from the park. We crossed a bridge and continued 4.5 miles up Forest Rd 27 and 2750. The drive to the trailhead was snow-free except for the last 100 feet. On our way up, we stopped to remove the one remaining 6-inch alder that was blocking the road. Our hike started at 2400 feet on a 5-inch layer of snow through an area mostly open to the sky. As we entered the cover of the forest, it all disappeared. The remaining 1-mile path to the falls was almost completely snow-free.

Cathedral Falls is spectacular even on an overcast day. Located on a vertical headwall in a steep ravine, the main falls drops from a notch in a cliff a hundred feet in the air, landing on a rocky thumb that splays the water into a fan and gently directing it into a clear pool at its base. On either side, a line of water drips lightly from the rim of the immense cave behind the falls. The cave is roughly level with the top of the thumb which is a good 50 feet above the pool. After approaching the waterfall, the trail winds its way behind the falls into the cave and out the opposite side. Walking through it is a breathtaking experience. (link below to a walk-through video)

We needed a gentle letdown so we hiked on another mile, almost to the junction with the Tumwater Mountain trail. Snow on the trail became more prevalent and by a half mile before the junction, completely covered the trail. At that point, we called it a day. Spring is indeed a good time to visit Cathedral Falls. (Link below to Goat Creek trail on Google Maps and to Anna Roth's write-up in the WTA Guide)

Went up the Goat Creek trial to Cathedral Falls (1 mile in) and beyond.  This hike is southeast of Morton and north of Mt. St. Helens; the road was in fairly good condition with intermittent mud and potholes (no snow).  Beware of going up there after a windstorm because it looks like a lot of smaller trees had fallen over the road earlier this winter, but someone had come along and cut them all out - thanks!

There was only one other group out there the whole time.  The trail was quite beautiful and in good condition.  We hiked just over 2 miles up the trail to just past the split with Tumwater Mountain trail.  There was very little snow before the turnoff and then fairly consistent snow beyond.  There are many little streams and waterfalls along this trail and the forest appears to be old growth but the trees are generally not as large as you would find in the temperate rainforest of the Olympics or at the foot of the Cascades.

There are a lot of moss covered rocks and trees so this was a very green hike.  The trail has little gains in elevations the first two miles but no steep slopes or big steps.  The trail follows along the hillside above Goat Creek (it is sometimes in sight but always within hearing range).  I would highly recommend this hike during winter or spring months as it will be greenest with fully running waterfalls.  I imagine it might be a little underwhelming in the late summer and fall.

Word of warning:   If you want to continue (in the snow) past the split and up the Tumwater Mountain Trail you will have to cross the creek on slippery rocks or logs as the there is no intact footbridge.  Beyond the split in the trail you will probably need snow snowshoes sometime in the next 1/2 half mile as the snow appears to get deeper and softer as you go up.  As of now I do not think microspikes are of use before or after the snow.

Goat Creek: always a gorgeous hike pretty much any time of year, even if the falls are a mere trickle like they were today, though I'm sure they are better off now than they were a week ago. All of the recent trail work has been holding steady and I'd say it's in the best shape I've ever seen it.
Vanson Peak: hit the first patch of snow around 3,500', maybe a half-mile before the lake. It stayed patchy for another mile or so, but was pretty full-on for the last ascent to the junction and continued to get deeper up to the peak. I'd say there was maybe 3-4" at the top? Anyhow, nothing you probably couldn't trudge through in regular boots, but I'm very glad I kept my spikes packed. Oh, and the trail was easy to follow throughout - never had any issues finding my way.
Overall, a beautiful day even if I didn't anticipate so much snow and had no view at the top. Saw one other party out on the trail, but they were down at the creek and didn't see me.