Few extra pictures to help as WTA trip description is very out of date.

This is a great choice for a short half day hike.  Access is easy on the paved middle fork road although care should be taken driving to the trail head as the trees here have dropped quite a bit of detritus on to the road from the recent storms.  There seems to be a bit of confusion as to where to a park.  The parking turnout comes up first around the mile 7 mark, but the trail head proper with more parking spots (and outhouses), is another quarter mile or so beyond/east of that.  I parked at the first turn out but should have carried on.

There was lots of mist and fog this morning adding to the mysticalness of the trail.  I went in an anti-clockwise direction and there are peek-a-boo views of the now snowy mountains all along the way.  The path is all gravel so you don't even really need boots.  The fall colors are at their peak here and the oxbow lake is very peaceful.  There is a signed short spur trail to the river (with a nice view) which I took, and then I closed the loop but continued on the short connector trail east to the main lot.  The signature view of the mountains featured in many trip reports is along this section, and you can't miss it as there is a fine "fence" of large logs protecting the river bank here. 

Everything is well signed and it's worth slow walking to make the most of this great addition to the middle fork road.

Nice little loop hike with small children. Beautiful ferns, moss, mushrooms and trees to look at. River crossing on a nice bridge and some Mountain views.

I hiked this with my two children (3 and 7) and all of us thoroughly enjoyed the loop, including taking some time to enjoy the river! The fall colors were beautiful and the kiddos really liked the benches that had been made out of logs and placed wherever there was a view to contemplate. 

If you have kids, I recommend skipping the first lot you see and parking at the second since that's where the pit toilet is, for convenience's sake. I really liked that it was a loop. 

Trail condition, actually, is excellent!  I was on one crutch for part of today's hike  so am very sensitive to trail conditions--and this trail is great for those who are--briefly, I hope--somewhat handicapped.  According to Gaia, I did 2.1 miles total today, with about 200 feet of elevation gain--and took a lot of photos--and loved every moment I spent in the woods, with friends, today, in the glorious sun

A link to my photos can be found below, in the full report.