Grouse Vista trailhead was busier than I'd ever seen it, full with cars parked along the road on both sides by 9 AM. Hiked a loop leaving from Grouse Vista, hiking the Tarbell Trail north to the junction with the Sturgeon Rock trail, then connecting to Silver Star before descending via Pyramid Rock trail back to Grouse Vista. Saw virtually no one until reaching Silver Star. Weather was cold but sunny; really enjoyed Sturgeon Rock and the unique vistas from there. Also found the geocache at the county line. The trail between Sturgeon Rock and Silver Star has several large trees down across it, and I'm not sure it is maintained, but it is very obvious as an old jeep road.  The trail from Silver Star back to Grouse Vista was covered in hard packed snow and very busy with fellow hikers. 

If you ever hiked to Silver Star, starting at Grouse Vista trailhead, you would come to the fork, where right turn (steep and rocky) will take you to the Silver Star, but the left will lead you to the Hidden Falls.

My friend and I took the left turn and we submerged into enchanting forest. The morning was beautiful, with humidity above 70%, which covered all the vegetation with dew and the sun was playing with billions of water drops, shining in them with rainbow colors.

First couple miles led through the forest, gentle slope, first going down and then gradually going up.

At about 2.5 mi we went on the opening with continues gentle uphill. 

NOTE: recent herbicide treatment burned all the vegetation along the open paths of the hills, but there is still amazing view on the valley.

A few times the trail intersects with the timber roads, but is well marked.

At about 3.4 mi mark we went into the forest and over the hill.  And then we started the descent again. There was a patch of very rocky trail - loose dusty rocks, and as we went without trekking poles, we did it very slowly. 

The last mile went through the forest again. Crossing a few creeks and bridges, we arrived to a South Fk. Coyote Ck, and to the Hidden Falls.

Along the way out and back we didn't meet anyone. Looks like everybody went to Silver Star.

Unfortunately for me, the Herbicide treatment was on 6/17/2020 and the entry was "restricted" for 48 hours or until 6/19/2020. But the sign wasn't placed on the trailhead, but at the first opening, after about 0.3 miles hike...

I continued on the hike anyway. Openings are all in bloom, very beautiful. The road is very dusty and the long pants are preferred. Vegetation is overgrowing and sometimes it is very hard to let a horse pass, as there is no place to take a step away.

I hiked all the way to the Hidden falls and took the same road back.

This is for the full Tarbell Trail loop starting at the Tarbell Trail Head and going counter clockwise.

Road: was in pretty good shape. I like coming in from Lucia Falls/Sunset falls to avoid the fire road by the corrections center. Once on 1100 (I think) it's just a mile or so on a decent fire road with only a few small pot holes. 

Trail: 99% of the trail is in great shape. The section just beyond Rock Creek Campground is a bit overgrown though It wasn't terrible. Wearing shorts was kind of annoying is all. The rest of the loop I have no complaints. Trail is in great shape and while the full loop is certainly long you can break this into sections which makes it doable by all levels. Nothing is very technical or extremely steep which the exception of the last bit to hit Larch Mountain. 

Notes: I love this trail, first time doing the whole loop and was very impressed. The wildflowers are going crazy right now. A few sections are miles of really nice blooms with views of St Helens, Adams, Pyramid Rocks and more. It's fun to bounce in and out of clear cuts, older growth and everything in between. I feel like this trail doesn't get the recognition it deserves because of the clear cut and while it is a bummer to see, it's also the reason we have roads leading to trail heads and on going maintenance. The new growth and views is quite pretty this time of year and should be seen by everybody! 

Bring discover pass. Got to my
car at 5.45 pm Sunday and car next to me had a ticket. Irises are on the way out .