With another semi-sunny weekend upon us, we decided to check out Little Mashel Falls, next to the Pack Forest.The trail was a bit rough, but the falls were full of water and were well worth the trip.

A shortish hike in an area I had not been before, Pack Forest offers a number of walking/hiking opportunities while the high country and most moderately high trails (above 2500 feet) are snow bound. The gate to the experimental/teaching forest was open but we parked in an area just beyond the gate and walked up to the main administration/teaching area and then took road 1000 to the right to the Hugo Peak trail. The road was open to vehicles but we only saw one car, a van, at Kirkland Pass. The Hugo Peak trail is moderately steep with a fair number of steps but the best way to experience the forest. Some sections of the trail appeared to be in regrowth while others were mature forest. There are limited views from Hugo Peak but some nice benches on which to sit and have lunch. Bring bug juice for this hike, mosquitos and small flies were in abundance at Hugo Peak and on Road 1000 back down to the vehicles. Tom shared his bug juice with a number of us and some mountain bikers we met on the way back down. The weather we had was great, cloudy, cool but no rain. Tom suggested dinner at the Copper Creek Inn, a great choice with excellent food (I had the beef stew) and friendly staff. This was a great way to end our day of walking.

This week we headed out to Pack Forest, an old favorite from our childhood. It had been years since we wandered along Pack Forest’s trails and we thought it would make for a decent winter hike. After doing a little research and plotting out a rough route, we packed up and headed out to Eatonville. Pack Forest is always open, and almost always free of snow in the winter. While some of the trails can be a little challenging, forest roads can take a hiker nearly anywhere in the park. With minimal elevation gain and easy access, this is a great pick for winter walks, hiking with youngsters or bringing out the dog for an adventure. We suggest that you bring along a map, as the multiple roads and trails can be confusing, and maps are not always available from the Gatehouse in the winter. If you make it out to Pack Forest, we highly recommend you take the time to head out to the waterfalls, which are well worth the trip. Check out the full report at: http://www.hikingwithmybrother.com/2012/03/pack-forest-little-mashel-falls-hugo.html Jer

Pack Forest is located near Eatonvile, drive Hwy 161 through Eatonville to Hwy 7 or drive Hwy 7 direct from Tacoma. At .2 miles south on 7 from the junction is the Pack Forest entry. We decided to hike to the Little Mashel Falls. From the entry gate we drove up 1/4 mile to the parking lot left of the administration building. To get to the trail walk left from the administration bldg, signed "Lathrop Drive, Murphy's Ranch". Proceed on Rd. 1000 North about 1.8 miles. The road is flat then starts up hillgradually and eventually comes to a Y on the road. Go left. It is supposed to be Road 1070, but there is no sign there. Go 1/4 mile until you come to a rock on the left that says Falls with an arrow pointing to the path. Follow the muddy path. It will take you through a patch of tall grass, then more mud. The path will eventually descend down the hill. The path will Y, take the path on the right, do not continue down the hill. Continue on the flat path until it Y's again. Take the trail to the left and start down. There is a trail to the right that will take you to the top of the Bridal Veil Falls. There are deep pools below the upper. Return back on the trail and watch on the right for an obscure track that drops down. There will be steps going down, down, down. Turn right to the rock-slab pools at the base of Bridal Veil Falls. The Falls always amaze me. Very well worth seeing. It's about 4 miles round-trip. Pack Forest is also a great place to take your dog for a walk. Rd. 1000 is a 5.1 mile loop. Very beautiful.

UW Pack Forest is closein, free, and great for a rainy day, or if you are alone. Few hazards...Got another copy of the map,took 1000 road left (west) from parking lot...then got onto 1300 road, steep uphill (along this road heard some large creature walking along a stream beside road loud splashing as it/he (?) walked along it...I got very quiet and made my way past uphill. Turned left and went along 1335 road to Bethel Peak (where the cell towers are) had lunch looking at the valley and farms (clouded in)...returned by way of going downhill at end of road...at bottom found horse trail and followed that to 1070 road, passed a nice grove of bleeding hearts; passed Mashel River/falls (very very loud and forceful now), and so back to 1000 road and trailhead. Saw several deer (white rumped).