This is trail is now on my favorites list. The sounds of the river and the walking among the huge old trees was very relaxing on a warm day. We saw ghost pipe plant and eat a few thimbleberries along the way. We sat on the edge of a bridge for lunch and found a spot soak our feet in the river.

We walked about 3 miles in before turning back only because a group had warned us that several of them had been stung by wasps at mile 3-(on the left side of the trail after the 5th bridge inside the ONP).

We were the first at the trailhead at 7:45 a.m. on a rainy Saturday.  We hiked 1.7 miles in to the first footlog.  The trail was in great shape.  After crossing the footlog, we turned onto the rough trail going west up Cowan Creek, aiming for the old Gregory Mine.  This mine operated around 1917, and produced zinc, with a little gold, lead and copper.

The mine was .9 miles in from the junction with Little River Trail, and the route required crossing the creek several times, and climbing over or squeezing under many logs.  The trail was sometimes hard to find, but we managed.  About .7 miles in, on the south bank, we found some old mine equipment:  a big iron compressor tank and a flywheel, which provided power for the pneumatic drill used to drill blasting holes.

Another .2 miles through the wet brush took us to the main mine tunnel on the south bank.  It extends 225 feet into the rock, with a couple of short tangents.  The rock seemed solid throughout, and nothing braced the walls and ceiling.

Reportedly, there are three other shorter tunnels a bit further upstream, but we didn't look for those.  More info on the mine at the NWHikers link below.

What a beautiful trail!  With the recent rainy days, the forest was a zillion shades of green with thick undergrowth.  Trilliums blooming, lots of banana slugs in a variety of colors, cool bridges, and the Little River was running hard.  Only hiked about 3.5 in, sat in what looked to be a camping spot right next to the river for lunch, then back out.  

Misty light rain in the morning on this gem of a trail but cleared up nicely by lunch and the hike out.  Hiked in almost 5 miles to the rope bridge aka bridge #5.  It was very obvious early in the trail that a trail crew had been working on the trail to clear trees and deal with trail tread.  I hiked this trail in February and March and at about 4 miles in there were 2 very large trees down across the trail that required going up a hillside and around one and then climbing over a second.

Big shout out to the trail crew that cut through these trees to make it easier to hike.  It is very much appreciated. I have included photos that show the before and after of the tree clearing.  These trail crews are amazing and very much appreciated in keeping our trails open and hikeable.

I can’t believe I’ve never visited this trail before! It’s lovely. Lots of green.
A tiny smidge of mud on trail but nothing else to report in the first 2.5 miles, which is how far I went.
Lots of trillium, mushrooms on logs and ferns uncurling. Also salmon berry blooming.
The log bridges are charming.
I’m excited to hike this again and go farther next time.