We used Google maps to navigate and were directed to make a left across the Bear Gulch causeway/bridge and up Dry Creek Trail; after driving this way for about 10 minutes we realized it was incorrect. There are campsites on the west side of the gulch, but Staircase rapids is NOT accessible from that side. Moreover, Google Maps reported NF-24 closed from Nov-May, this was NOT true either. Don't believe Google maps over the signs in the National Forest, Google has very little incentive to make sure their maps are correct.
The hike was a beautiful hike after not having been on the trail for 18 months due to moving and caring for a sick family member. There are drop in toilets near the pay station, they weren't immaculate when we were there but they didn't smell and were stocked with TP and hand sanitizer.
The trail starts across the big bridge or up past the ranger station. There is a turn off near the bridge to head up Four Stream trail; there was a washout about a half-mile in past Beaver Flats. It wasn't impassable but there were more opportunities to fall into glacial run-off than we were comfortable taking. On the north side of the trail there was another wash out. This was passable but took some balancing across some logs thrown across or slopping through some inch+ deep water.
This was a beautiful hike. The portion just above the overflow parking lot gives a neat glimpse of the potential for a grueling hike up to Wagonwheel Lake, but just a taste, its not trying just steep for a spell.
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