It's been a while since I've been up this trail. In that time the road has been improved and has deteriorated again. Not quite as bad as it use to be but close. I wouldn't want to bring a sedan up here. Just 3 miles of gnarly potholes, all full of water now to add to their car swallowing mystery.
The trail sets off on level tread before ticking up. It was really cold in this section warming up the higher we went up the river gorge. The first section to the main falls is in decent shape just a couple of blow downs to cross, a little awkward as you have to step over right on the edge of the trail, but nothing crazy. Everything is wet and there are minor creeks/wet areas to cross, no mud pits. After the always dramatic main falls the trail feels a lot wilder. More rocky sections and the blow downs keep coming, more complex now - squeeze under, climb over and/or through. The trail is high above the river, cut into a steep hillside, so all the down trees are at angles. They slowed our pace and around the two mile mark we hit our turn around time, short of the third falls which had been our goal.
On the return we took the steep boot path down to the base of the main falls. It has a couple of bigger drops but hands, feet, and poles in combo for the win. It's well worth it. The falls are flowing well and it's just such a wildly immersive spot. This time of year the light here is low which makes everything seem a little twilighty.
Back at our car the small lot now had around a dozen cars. Recommend parking head out as it gets tight when people fill in the sides. Didn't check on the outhouse but it's part way down the road in.
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