This is a sweet little summer and fall hike actually best left until summer and fall. We picked it as we wanted to be in the area and decided to give it a go. I knew the rangers had not replaced the summer bridges, but earlier reports gave me hope that crossing Colonial Creek would not be too difficult. I was wrong. We found easy trail-head parking turning right into the main lot for Colonial Creek campground. The campground is not open for camping (except a few first come, first serve sites), so there is plenty of parking. Plumbed restrooms are still closed but the outhouse to the upper side of the lot was open, clean and stocked. Everything is covered with leaves and minor debris so there's a definite early season vibe.
We crossed highway 20 carefully and I was concerned the trail would be very busy as the roadside parking there was full, but sensibly most people were hanging at the beach with the temps in the mid 80s. You walk straight through the camp ground to find the at first rocky trail (there's a kiosk map at the entrance). Walking straightish through the old creek beds we came to the edge of the gushing creek and could see the trail continuing on the far side beyond two major channels (picture). From there we scouted up stream a ways until we found a single channel bridged by a multi-tree blow down jumble. Not seeing anything better we crossed here. My hiking partner who is far braver than me walked it (picture of return crossing) saying it was fine. I was like nope not doing that went for the safe butt scoot method. Once over we navigated back to the main trail and were on our way. After the crossing the trail is a dream of gently graded switch backs I felt like I was flying up the elevation in spite of 80+ temps. Shade diminished rapidly after we left the creek but thankfully there was a nice breeze at the top, and after admiring the vista from the final view point we back tracked for lunch in a shadier section looking west.
Heading back down we passed quite a few groups many with dogs and no one looked wet or traumatized, so perhaps there was a better place to cross? After reaching the creek again at the bottom we scouted down stream but that just looked worse so we returned and recrossed on the same trees as before. Scooting up the tree was a lot harder, than down so it took a while to get back over.
If we had not been able to get over Colonial Creek then we would have hiked Thunder Creek which leaves from the back of the main campground, but it was satisfying to feel I'd actually been brave'ish.
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