This is a very nice hike for the first weekend of autumn, though I would not say so if it was raining...the trail was damp enough, as it was. The Trail Guide is quite accurate, both on the drive to and the trail, so I will not go into a lot of detail on the route. I do recommend that those not familiar with following a scant trail should take their time and allow plenty of daylight for your return.
We started at the trailhead (gate on logging road) at 11 am and found the fisherman’s trail at 11:40. To the base of the falls along the east bank of Philippa Creek is quite passable and pleasant, aside from the occasional blow-down. The vine maples are starting to change color, and the huckleberries are all but gone. With the Trail Guide’s warnings about the steep ascent and dogs, I didn’t know how much further past the falls we would go with our little, four-legged hiker, but she actually did very well on the scramble. If it was any wetter, things may have been different. We found the talus slope not so overgrown as the Trail Guide described, which I was pleased about, though I must say it felt like a bit more than 200 yards across. The pooch did not like this part, at all – forty minutes to cross, probably.
It was 2 pm when we arrived at the lake. We found the campsite still furnished with frying pan and spatula, a couple sets of oars, plus supplies: a can of chili and a can of pears! The campsite was fairly clean, with the exception of the remnants of food wrappers in the fire ring. We snacked and rested in the sun, but only stayed until 3:30 pm, as I wanted to allow plenty of daylight for the return.
Lucy (dog) was quite happy to be traveling down hill, as she was much more comfortable on all difficult portions of the route. I lost the trail a little and led the way to the edge of a rather steep drop-off, along the side of the falls, but after a brief retreat and traverse, we were back on track. This is the portion of the trail where daylight is critical! The return took 2 hours, but that was a fast pace.
We saw a frog, a salamander, a whistle-pig, and a few grouse en route. No other hikers on the trail, though. The fall colors should be really nice in a few weeks. Attached is a picture of some of the color, plus the Philippa Creek at the crossing below the falls.
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