There were a lot of couples out on the trail, but nature was my valentine today (as my family opted for the beach instead!). Great weather, some showers on the drive in and at the trailhead, and a few more further in, but otherwise mostly overcast with occasional sun breaks. A few big muddles on the initial .25 mile section to the first turn, I saw a number of folks scrambling up into the brush to avoid them. I mistakenly went right at the first junction, so added the half-mile interpretive loop to my hike! (But ok because I got to find all of the clues for a mystery geocache.) Between that first turn and the bridge at the creek, one section had a big crack along the uphill edge of the trail, which to my untrained eye looks like a landslide waiting to happen. Past the bridge over the creek, a few downed trees, but able to scramble over ok. From the creek through Cedar Bog to Cascade Falls was in good shape, a few minor muddles. The trail from Cascade Falls down to the ranger station had a number more downed trees, some easy to step over, some required ducking under. All passable by me, just notable obstacles.
Good signage throughout. I'm glad I had a printed map, but easily able to find my way.
The section of trail along the lake is littered with driftwood. I'm assuming recent flooding carried all of the driftwood in, and then as the lake water receded, deposited it all on the trail. There's more obstacle than trail in many spots. It was all wet and slippery too, so really slowed me down to get through. In some places it was hard to know if I was still even on the trail.
I stopped at one sign "Beyond Boundaries" and after a minute or so had some mosquitoes nipping at my bare face. I generally didn't notice any bugs otherwise.
All in all, a beautiful hike, trail is well maintained, nice waterfalls. Massive Douglas Firs and Sitka Spruces were impressive!
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