We arrived around 10am on a Sunny Sunday morning to only a handful of cars at the trailhead. There is a pit toilet, though it had no toilet paper (BYOTP) and the lock is broken (knock first). 

We saw just one or two people on our way toward the waterfall, then no more than a dozen on our way back in the afternoon.

As we approached the turn off for the waterfall, we were tipped off by vibrant green (apparently mist-loving?) vine maple which drew our attention to a peek-a-boo view of the waterfall itself. There is also a sign. :)

The trail up to the waterfall that stays close to the water had a few use-your-hands moments, but was otherwise just Quite Steep. The waterfall itself is fantastic, with a great variety in falling water textures to find. 

On the way down we took a different path slightly farther from the water, wondering if it was less steep, but I couldn't tell you definitively that it was.

Wanting to lengthen our lovely hike, we continued south on the trail rather than turn back to the trailhead. Less than a mile later the trail meandered close to the white silty river waters, which I thought was worth the bit of added mileage alone.

Saw plenty of bunchberry and coralroot, and a few yellow violets and wild ginger.

Started at the north TH and made it down to Buck Creek before hitting my turnaround time. Gaia clocked the day at 9.38 miles, 705 ft gain.

Got to the TH around 8:30AM.  Toilet, which has definitely seen better days, had plenty of TP but there’s no hand sanitizer.  The lock on the door is broken, so you’ll want to knock before you open the door to make sure no one is in there.

This hike is a favorite of my when I’m just looking for a soul-cleansing walk through the woods, and today it fit the bill. 

Flowers are blooming from the north TH to the falls.  As you continue south from the falls the number of flowers significantly decreases.  Those blooming on Thursday included a few trillium, lots of vanillaleaf and Oregon grape, red elderberry, yellow violets, springbeauty, bunchberry, salmonberry, false bugbane, star-flowered Solomon’s Seal, a little bit of kinnikinnick, foamflower, a few calypso orchids, a couple lupine plants and what I think is large-leaf sandwort. 

There are several blowdowns between the north TH and the falls that, while not significant impediments for hikers (though most needed to be stepped over/ under), would require bicyclists to dismount and lift over their bikes.  At ~1.3 miles there were two trees of around 40-inch diameter high across the trail.  Hikers could easily duck under (many might not even need to do that).  At ~1.5 miles there’s one about 20-inches in diameter down diagonally across the trail.  Hikers can sit and straddle across, but bikers will need to lift their bikes over.  At just under 2 miles there’s a tree about 16 inches down low over the trail. Easy step over for hikers, but bicyclists will again need to dismount.  At about 2 miles there’s a 12-inch tree down across the trail; this is another one high enough that hikers can just duck under. 

There’s a giant tree down (at least 48 inches diameter) right at the spur trail for the falls.  Hikers can crawl under, bikes would also need to go under unless you have someone to pass it off to on the other side.  See Photo #4.

Mud wasn’t yet bad except for one location ~ 3.4 miles south of the norther TH where a large tree had blown down.  Its root ball turned up the trail and surrounding soil which has become a saturated, muddy mess.  You’ll want to test your footing carefully through this area as there are some spots where it would be over the top of low-top boots or trail runners. 

There’s one section of trail about 3.55 miles south of the northern TH where most of the trail has washed away down the hillside.  There was still a narrow bit of earth you could use to cross, but not sure how many rainstorms that will last.  See Photo #4.

Started at the South trailhead.

The garbage bin here at the trailhead has been full and overflowing for weeks.

Went south from here towards mount Rainer park. 

The trail isn't easy to follow, it's vague. Quite a lot of trees down over the trail too. A lot of trash along the trail near the airstrip and dispersed camping sites. One dodgy looking camp over the edge near the airstrip, extreme caution is needed.

I feel if this section of the hike was used more often, it would be improved and much better to hike. Section was 5 miles round trip.

This trail info on wta should really show the full trail length of about 15 miles round trip, not what's listed.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbs/recarea/?recid=18168

Hiked from south entrance to Skookum Falls. South parking lot had lots of potholes, but doable for most cars. After parking, you need to cross the road to start the trail. Delightful hike in the woods along the river. Turn left at small Skookum Falls sign to go up the short, steep hike to the falls. Short hike to falls is worth it, about 1/4 m round-trip. Falls were beautiful and full.

Hiked the Skookum Flats trail from FR 73 trailhead to the falls, and managed to power up the scramble to the base of the falls! I've hiked this trail two or three times before, but have never been able to make it up the scramble. However today conditions were great, the scramble up was dry, and the falls were just breathtaking. Helpful hint from a physical therapist assistant if you do the scramble: keep your center of gravity low, and consider crawling through steeper spots so you don't have to worry about losing your footing!

We arrived at 7:40am on the Saturday before Mother's Day anticipating this popular trail would be busy. But we ended up having the whole trail to ourselves the entire way in, and encountered only four people at various points on our hike back out. The trail itself is well maintained, though like other reports state there are some rough areas where washouts have happened that you just need to be careful. Some very large potholes on the road in, but my little Honda Fit managed just fine!