We arrived at the trailhead around 9:45 am. There’s a handful of pot holes, but nothing a low rise car can’t manage with careful driving.

The temperature was in the 20s when we started. We hiked along the trail to reach Skookum Falls. We hiked roughly 2.2 miles before reaching a small sign pointing to turn right to reach the falls (mostly flat).

The trail was in great condition before reaching the turnoff. However, once we turned right we encountered a rougher trail with some storm damage with a good incline. It was definitely manageable and not slippery, until the last 10-20 feet before the falls.

We got a special treat to see the falls frozen! 10/10 would recommend the trail.

There were quite a few different birds and mushrooms.

When we got back to the trailhead there were about 6 trucks in the parking lot.

Stats to Skookum Falls and back: 4.8 miles and 466 feet

This is a wonderful NW winter hike that doesn't see much foot traffic.  The trail has lots of old growth trees, tons of moss, and crosses several roaring creeks on sturdy bridges. It is perfect forest bathing! You occasionally hear road noise but more often it's the river sounds that accompany you. My husband and I hiked from the south trailhead.  There's an open (but no TP) outhouse just up the road at the Camp Shepard TH.  The climb to the falls is steep but was surprisingly not too slippery. 

I was curious how the drop on Skookum compares to the 400 ish foot Comet Falls and found the link below showing Skookum to be nearly as high.

I may be slightly bias about how wonderful this trail is. We did this hike in Jan. 2021 for our first date.  It's now an annual tradition for us

Beautiful Christmas hike from the northern trailhead to the junction with the Buck Creek Trail.  The trail was muddy in place, with a few downed trees, but nothing that was unmanageable.  The falls were full, but we didn't do the scramble to the base.

The trip started out misty and ended with snow falling down, but not yet accumulating.  Very peaceful way to spend the holiday.  Only saw one other person on the trailhead. 

The bathroom at the Northern trailhead was in need to a cleaning and TP, but useable.

Chilly, but no wind, rain or snow. Very quiet trail, only saw 3 other people along the way. We got to the waterfall and back to the north trailhead. There are 3-4 fallen trees that you have to crouch under and 2 where you have to go over, but nothing major, children could do it. 

Be careful with stepping on roots or barks, they can be very slippery.

Mushrooms can be found, but a lot are dying off because of the cold now. In general, a really good easy-moderate hike with some sunshine!

Trail seems to be maintained well

Hiked from the north trailhead to the south trailhead and back, with a side trip to Skookum Falls. The forest and scenery are so beautiful that it was a delight to see it twice. By CalTopo, the distance is 5.5 mi each way. My GPS concurs with this.
The weather was drier than the forecast suggested, but everything was wet. There are isolated spots that are slippery; roots on slopes, rocks and some steeper grades. Because this describes most of the steep trail to Skookum Falls, proceed with caution. It is tall and delicate, and worth the climb.
There is a large tree across the Skookum Flat Trail at the junction with the trail to the falls. Most people can crouch under it. There are a few other smaller trees across the trail further on. most are within a mile of the south trailhead.
There are still a wide variety of mushrooms to appreciate along the trail, but most are showing their age