Nice and gentle hike for everyone. It starts along a lovely straam then leads you in an old forrest with amazing trees. It's a perfect discovery park & walk hike. The trail is extremely well maintained and I guess can be pretty busy during summer time.

This is a perfect walk to do on a misty Monday in mid-September. There were plenty of people around, but it was still very peaceful. I hadn't visited this area of the park since I was a child, so it was a nostalgic stroll.

My parents flew out for a visit this Labor Day weekend, and I wanted to let them experience one of my favorite things about Washington state - the hiking! Being native New Yorkers and unaccustomed to backcountry hiking, I thought the short hike through the Grove of the Patriarchs would be the perfect introduction. The parking lot was pretty full by the time we got there by 11:30AM, but fortunately we found a spot. There are slight elevation changes, but totally doable for kids and older folks alike. My folks have had various joint replacement surgeries over the years and handled this hike just fine. We took our time along this well-maintained trail, stopping to take some snapshots and admire the ancient trees. There is a fun suspension bridge to cross, but be mindful that only one person should cross at a time as it is a little wobbly. Upon our return, we had lunch at the picnic tables located at the trailhead. My parents absolutely loved the hike. It is great to do with the whole family.

Hit the trailhead at 11am. Everything was in great shape. Little water on the trail in a coupe of places but nothing to fret about. The falls were flowing nicely and the water is just beautiful.

Camping at Ohanapecosh for Independence Day, three generations of hikers (grandfather, son, son-in-law, and two grandsons (aged 11 and 8)) took a day hike. Parking at the trailhead on SR 123, we began the hike with snow at the trailhead and occasional snow patches for the first mile of the hike. As we progressed down Governors Ridge, the snow disappeared and wildflowers emerged. We saw avalanche lilies, columbine, and trillium. The remainder of the hike was snow free. From SR 123 to Deer Creek, the trail is narrow but passable. Aside from a handful of blowdown trees, the rest of the trail was in great condition. About a half mile from where the Eastside trail meets the Grove of the Patriarchs, we did have a scare. Thinking a dog was coming down the trail, we were surprised to see an adolescent mountain goat (with about 2 to 3 inch horns!). It charged within 10 feet of us, stopped, then bolted up the hillside. We saw no other wildlife, except fresh elk tracks and scat, and clawed trees from bears.