Pack Forest - Hugo Peak — Saturday, Jun. 18, 2011

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area

Pack Forest is located near Eatonvile, drive Hwy 161 through Eatonville to Hwy 7 or drive Hwy 7 direct from Tacoma. At .2 miles south on 7 from the junction is the Pack Forest entry. We decided to hike to the Little Mashel Falls. From the entry gate we drove up 1/4 mile to the parking lot left of the administration building. To get to the trail walk left from the administration bldg, signed "Lathrop Drive, Murphy's Ranch". Proceed on Rd. 1000 North about 1.8 miles. The road is flat then starts up hillgradually and eventually comes to a Y on the road. Go left. It is supposed to be Road 1070, but there is no sign there. Go 1/4 mile until you come to a rock on the left that says Falls with an arrow pointing to the path. Follow the muddy path. It will take you through a patch of tall grass, then more mud. The path will eventually descend down the hill. The path will Y, take the path on the right, do not continue down the hill. Continue on the flat path until it Y's again. Take the trail to the left and start down. There is a trail to the right that will take you to the top of the Bridal Veil Falls. There are deep pools below the upper. Return back on the trail and watch on the right for an obscure track that drops down. There will be steps going down, down, down. Turn right to the rock-slab pools at the base of Bridal Veil Falls. The Falls always amaze me. Very well worth seeing. It's about 4 miles round-trip. Pack Forest is also a great place to take your dog for a walk. Rd. 1000 is a 5.1 mile loop. Very beautiful.