Skookum Flats — Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

This trail is so easy to reach; it was a no brainer for a family hike I was planning. This trip was to see what shape the trail was in. The trailhead is about a quarter-mile off of Hwy 410 on Road 73 (Huckleberry). What's strange, however, is that you pass Road 72 and Road 74 before you hit Road 73. Park to the right and walk across the road to the trailhead. The trail follows the river upstream. There are spots where the river is eroding into the trail and about to wash it out. Please be careful and stay to the right of the trail. And then things got interesting. I was expecting a few blow downs, since we've had a couple dozy storms already this season. Blow down one was no problem. Blow down two was no problem. And then...at around the one-mile mark the forest seemingly collapsed on itself. It honestly looked like all the trees for at least three-hundred yards were pushed over. I couldn't see the end of the wipeout let alone the trail, so after tromping around the fallen trees for awhile, I chickened out and headed back to the car. Preemptive cheer for this summer's trail crews. Thanks!