We enjoyed some of nature's fireworks today watching the sunlight prism through the mists of Teneriffe Falls!
Parking/Privy/People:
Arrived around 8am to plenty of space in the large parking area. Permanent restrooms were locked still, and portapotties were hit and miss--one in good shape and the other all covered in urine on the inside. On trail, there were lots of people out and it could become congested at bottlenecks or popular view spots. Warning: This trail is still pretty close in to Seattle so watch out for tech bros who can't use their "excuse me" words to show up wordlessly breathing down your neck. (This happened several times.)
Trail:
Trail was in good condition! No real obstacles to be addressed. As you get up into the switchbacks on the Falls trail it can be loose and rocky at points, but that is about the most you have to contend with.
Flora:
Berry alert! Red hucks and salmonberry are in great supply on the old road segment of the trail lower down. Apart from this we saw wildflowers, most notably foxglove in the open rock fields higher up. The woods are lush, verdant, even a little muggy lower down as the temperature rose in the afternoon. Most of the trail is nicely forested and shady.
Fauna:
Mosquitos were seen but not a nuisance. Otherwise our main wildlife encounters were a few remarkably bold chipmunks and squirrels.
Views:
Peekaboo glimpses of North Bend, Rattlesnake, and other local peaks could be found heading up. The big attraction though are the falls: both Teneriffe Falls itself and the unnamed (?) lower falls adjacent to the trail a few switchbacks below. They are both worth the trip and worth spending some time admiring.
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