Rating: 4 of 5 stars (Great off-season & smokey mountains hike!)
Opinion: This is a nice hike. It’s not too long and the elevation gains aren’t too bad. Most of the hike is on an old road bed, and the grade is nice—until the last half mile, where it gets steep with lots of steps. This a medium hike.
There are places we adults needed our hiking poles, especially the last half mile..
There are a few mountain views on the way up. There are some wonderful rock formations. A nice hike any time of the year, but a great hike when a lot of other trails are smoked in or snowed in.
At the top of the falls, you can jump across rocks at the top of the falls and explore and get good pictures that you may not get at other times of the year.
After you visit the top of Bridal Veil Falls, when you get back to the main trail, keep going toward Lake Serene to see lower Bridal Falls, which is right after the big bridge. (This takes about 15 minutes.) Right now, lower Bridal Veil Falls has some nice waterfalls and great rocks and rock formations to rest on. It’s about a fourth of a mile, but much easier grade than going up to Bridal Veil Falls.
Parking & Road Conditions: For all cars. I arrived at 11:30 am on a Thursday and there was lots of parking. The short road off Highway 2 was very bad with pot holes. However, I think a sedan could make it okay if they drive slowly.
NOTE: The big problem with this hike is the traffic on the weekend and holidays! No problem on a weekday.
One holiday Monday took me about 3 hours to get to Kirkland, leaving the trail at 5 pm.
Snow: None.
Bugs: None.
Time: I’m 66 and it took me
5 hours to hike to Bridal Veil Falls. The lower falls took another 15 minutes (one way).
Views: Beautiful forest, waterfalls, and mountains.
Flowers: None.
Tree leaves: None.
Trail & trail conditions: Fine.
Bathrooms: Open.
Food: In Sultan, the Sultan Bakery has the best bacon that I have ever eaten! Their home-made bread is yummy! Their bakery stuff is superb! Especially the coconut chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies. Sadly, they are now using canned mushrooms, so skip those. Their omelets are great and their sandwiches are great. Add bacon! They are open to about 6:30 or 7 pm. Sadly, they were closed on Labor Day and every Tuesday.
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