Looking for a road less traveled hike for America's birthday I used the WTA hike finder and this one popped up, what a gem.
We arrived early from the north, spotted the trail head sign from the road and as there was very little traffic were able to make a U-turn to park behind the one car already in the pull out.
Getting ready to hike on the side of the road was not so nice so having a pre-hike breakfast did not work out so well there and we quickly munched our muffins then set off. Once you drop down on the trail proper the road is all but forgotten. I had read a few trip reports and the description which meant we were both informed and prepared. Water shoes for tricky creek crossings check, pack towels for swimming check, we didn't need either lol. The trail is national park gorgeous and so few people we only met one person on the way down and just a handful on the way out. The heat earlier in the week has all the cascades, cataracts, and water falls just gushing. We took the suggested small add on to admire the falls on Chinook Creek and checked out the deer creek camp (only one of two sites occupied).
Blow-downs have been removed up to the damaged bridge over Chinook Creek, there were still a handful after the bridge but nothing that needed technical skills to tackle, certainly not a hike stopper. The bridge itself appeared solid over the actual creek span and more damaged on the far side (picture included). We went over one at a time. The seasonal sketchy creek crossing has been tamed with a rock dam, no wading across now needed. I used my poles my young adults hopped across. There are flowers in the understory and trail side greenery is starting to encroach. My shorts wearing kids had to step gingerly past the thorns of Salmonberry and Devils Club in several places.
The spur trail to the green pool was pretty indistinct and no one wanted to swim as the water was running pretty fast and cold. Probably lives up to its trip description billing later in the year.
There are actually two spurs trails to Stafford Falls, making a kind of triangle. You do have to keep a sharp eye out as they are not super obvious. Once at the falls the view point on the far cliff side is just a sublime spot, with a cool breeze from the spray I wanted to stay and dream the day away.
It really isn't that far to Stafford Falls and we debated going on to Ohanapecosh Falls but I was out-voted so I tucked that idea away for next time, and back we went which was no hardship as it's so pretty along the route. Even the climb back out is tempered by amazing views of gushing Deer Creek in its canyon at the mid-climb breather point. Arriving back at the car we drove north again past the tunnel to the expansive pull out on the west side of the road to turn around safely then headed south again to explore more of the park. A great half day hike.
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