Beautiful day! 5 cars at trailhead around 11:30am. Road in has potholes but was passable in a carefully driven corrolla. Saw more than a dozen mountain bikers on trail - appreciated those who shouted out how many more bikers to expect in their group. This trail has fantastic old growth red cedar, douglas fir, and the highest concentration of yew trees I've ever seen. Beautiful spots to relax by the river. I wore my baby and this was only challenging in two spots: one fallen tree to go around and one short rocky section that was a bit steep, but both were doable with caution while babywearing. We did not go up to the falls but several groups around us did. Mostly shaded but some sun. Not many berries today. Overall one of our favorite old growth hikes in the area!

After setting up camp at the Dalles CG we had time for a short meander so we walked the trail for 3 miles RT starting from the South TH parking lot which is on the left after crossing the White River on a bridge on FR 7160. This road takes you to the Ranger Creek CG and Airstrip. Restrooms can be found at the Ranger Creek CG and the horse camp which is a short distance up the road from the TH. The trail starts across the road from the parking lot. The day was cloudy and temperature in the low 60's so it was a pleasant walk on the trail which has a few gentle ups and downs. Mostly "past their prime" coralroot, a few pinesap and pipsissewa were the flowers seen. A light rain started after reaching our vehicle on the return. 

After setting up camp at the Dalles CG, we meandered 2,5 miles RT from the South TH. We have no service so will post a report with pictures when we get home!

Great fairly easy hike that winds in and out of the woods close to the White River. You can go out to the falls then head back to the trailhead, or if you want more distance, go past the falls for some more mileage. The spur up to the falls has some decent elevation gain, so we actually didn't go all the way up to the falls. It felt a little too steep to navigate with the large dog we had with us today. Lots of mosquitoes while having lunch near the water. A couple downed trees on the trail right now, but they were fairly easy to get over.

Always a great spring hike, we began at FR73. A few new bridges looks like recent trail work, thank you! I do hope improving the rocky steps down along the river at about 2 miles, before the climb back up, are in the plans! The exposed rebar had pink flagging today which was helpful to be careful. We stopped for lunch at the view of the falls which are gushing but had 6 kids with us ranging from 8 to 1 years old so we did not scramble to the base of the falls, although we have before, and it is worth the short steep trek up! This is a seasonal waterfall; go soon, it’s lovely right now. We spotted more trillium along this hike today than any other trail we’ve hiked recently it was lovely! Trail traffic was light, a few dogs on leash and 3 courteous mountain bikers. Gaia tracked 5 miles and 300’ round trip.