Let me say right up front that Downey Creek is one of the nicest old growth trails I have been on in about 35 years of hiking the North Cascades. Not just for the (in some cases) gigantic Douglas Firs, Hemlocks, and Cedars, but for the "open" feel of the forest: In many places I could see a few hundred yards above and below the trail which traverses the steep eastern flank of Downey Creek.
Add to this a gorgeous carpet of wildflowers - Bleeding Hearts, False Solomon Seal, Yellow Violet, Bunchberry, Wild Ginger, and many others I couldn't identify - PLUS the solitude and it made for a very enjoyable hike.
My hiking partner and I made it about 2.5 to 3 miles up the trail (which goes much further) but he, who was a little ahead of me, came back down the trail saying he had reached a tributary that he didn't feel safe to cross. So, we had lunch and returned to the trail head. We saw two other hikers coming up, and another group of 4 just about to embark near the trailhead.
The negative to this hike is getting there: the 10-mile dirt section of the Suiattle River Road is severly pot-holed in some places, though I think any standard automobile with normal clearance can make it. Just expect some wear and tear on your shock absorbers. :((
Finally, 3 cheers (Cheer! Cheer! Cheer!) for the excellent trail work, some of which must have been difficult, that our own WTA has done on this trial. Altogether now...
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