This is the hike I do on Father’s Day in memory of my Dad. He loved the outdoors, and also climbed Mount Rainier when he was 14. I picked this trail due to the lack of crowds here. We arrived at the first trailhead parking lot at 8:15AM and had the only car there, besides an RV. We had the trail to ourselves for about three hours. 

Parts of the trail were overgrown, and I wish I brought garden clippers. Next time! There’s a great beach to eat lunch along the river closer to Murphy Creek. We finally saw several groups of hikers on our way back to the car.

My Dad would have loved what I call “Man in Tree” which is about 1.2 miles in. You’ll know it when you see it!

I found four different notes with quotes hanging from trees on the way back to the car. To whoever did that-thank you for making me smile on this sad day for me! The timing couldn’t have been better.

We logged 6.5 miles with an elevation gain of 354 feet.