The road-width trail slid away about 5 minutes into the hike. A detour has been constructed. Only 2 streams between the trailhead and the Flapjacks intersection have water. Everything else is dry. A few bugs. Trail is really rocky.

Went in to the lakes for an overnight trip. Most of the campsites are melted out. Still snow around the lake. The weather was cool enough that bugs were not an issue. Trail to Gladys divide had hard packed snow on trail in the woods. Trail was difficult to follow and crossing snow patches needed to be done with care. The meadow and the route to the divide was under deep snow. Morning coolness resulted in hard sun cupped snow fields. As soon as the sun hit the slopes, plunge stepping down was easy.

We started at the trailhead at approximately 9:30 am. I was carrying a 35 lbs pack. I generally hike about 2 to 2.5 m.p.h. with breaks included. We hiked up to the junction to the Flapjack Lakes in about an hour and ten minutes. After a short break, we took off for the lake at 10:50. From there, it took another hour plus to get to the trail junction with Black and White Lakes and Flapjack Lakes. The last half mile took us about thirty minutes, and it was the only time there was any snow. Many people have traveled to the lake, and the path is easy to follow.i

We left the trailhead at Staircase at 7:30 a.m. and headed up North Fork Skokomish River Trail to Big Log Camp and then turned onto the Black&White Lakes Way Trail for the torturous 2.3 mile, 3000ft' climb to the lakes. We saw bear sign and bear tracks along the way, but no bear! We encountered the first heavy snow cover while still in the trees as we approached the top of the ridge. The snow continued the rest of the way up to the lakes and, in places on the open slopes near the lakes, was 5 or 6 feet deep. Needless to say, the lakes were still snow covered and just beginning to thaw. We took advantage of the perfect weather and enjoyed an hour long lunch break on the ridge just above the lakes before heading down. Aided by a few short glissades, we descended quickly towards the Black and White Lakes Trail (#115). After a short search through the snow, we found the trail and headed down to the Flapjack Lakes Trail, encountering only minor blowdowns and a tricky stream crossing. It's important to note that route-finding skills are necessary under these conditions, especially if you have not hiked the route before! We reached the Flapjack Lakes Trail and started back down towards the North Fork Skokomish River Trail. The first 1/8 mile or so was snow covered, but the remainder of the trip back was easy going, thanks in part to the beautiful new bridge at Madeline Creek. We arrived back at the trailhead at 5:30 pm: 16 miles in 10 hrs.

Excellent hike! And the trail appears to have had continual maintenance done. As other trip reports have stated, the bridge is out but the detour is clearly marked and easily accessible. It appears that Mother Nature frequently lays waste to this trail but someone is always there to make it accessible again. The day I was there, it appeared that someone had just gone through to trim the salal and berry bushes from the trail's edge. Thank you! Not many berries along the North Fork Skokomish River trail but lots all along the Flapjack lakes trail as well as along the shores of the lakes. I had an interest in exploring the Gladys divide area until the low clouds blew in and took away any hopes of a view more than a few feet in front of me. Bummer. Round trip, the hike and lunch break took me almost 6 hours. The roads to and from the trailhead/Staircase ranger station are also half the fun (winding and low volume of cars).