We got to the trail early, wanting to beat the Memorial Day crowds. We arrived at the trailhead at 8:45 with two other cars in the lot. My 8 year old was excited to get going, so we headed up the trail with our little dog. 

Almost immediately we ran into a large downed tree. About 1/4 mile up the switchbacks is a large tree completely blocking the path. My kid was able to squeeze under it, but I had a tough time climbing over. It looks like hikers are already forming a trail around by climbing uphill over the top of the log. There is a smashed trail up through the salal, causing a lot of damage.

From there the trail was in decent shape with a few easy to cross streams on the trail. The wildflowers are out in force right now! We saw trillium, bleeding heart, piggy-back plant, Moose ear, salmon berry, and more flowering. The evergreens were beautiful and huge, and the sections of big-leaf maple were awe inspiring. We stopped at the first camping area, and hoped across a log onto a sand bar. This is about 1.5 miles in and a perfect turn around for a tired kiddo and small dog. 

Trip report for Sunday, May 5, 2024:

Fire road is mostly paved and good shape. Only about 1.5 miles of it is gravel with passable potholes.

Arrived to trailhead about 10:15am to 3 other vehicles, about room for about 8 vehicles total and a fairly decent pit toilet.

Trail starts straight up with switchbacks for a good 1/2 mile.  Then down, down, down for another half mile (remember this for your return in reverse). The remainder of the trail I would describe as rolling hills.

The trail is on great shape. Peak-a-boo views of the river below through much of the trail. Soft pine for great footing. And beautiful mix of very large, very tall old growth trees. And, there has been a lot of recent work (assuming from various volunteer groups?) including bushwhacking, fallen tree clearing and repairs. Trillium in bloom. 

There were some small creek crossings but low water and easy enough to cross. Only a few small and minimal patches of mud. Overall the trail was surprisingly dry for all the weekend precipitation received. The log crossing at the bigger stream was fine, but take it slow. We could see how it might be much more slick and dangerous if water was higher.

We turned around about 4.5 miles in (past the 3rd bridge - the one being repaired). Total of round trip 9 miles with a stop for lunch and taking our time meandering. A very nice trail.

Hiked from LeBar trailhead to Camp Comfort and back on a beautiful May Day. Trail is in good shape; a big thank you to the people with saws and brush cutters who have been out already this season. Trail mostly dry, and creeks were easy to cross on rocks (in my case) or sometimes logs (in my hiking friend’s case.) 

Wildflowers included trilliums, yellow violets, wood anemones, Solomon seal, dogwood trees, big leaf maple trees, and my personal favorite, calypso orchids. Birds included kingfisher and lots of robins along the river. 

As part of a Back Country Horsemen of Washington work party, we removed a few logs from the trail near and downriver from Camp Comfort. That section is in good shape. 

We planned to drive around to the trailhead on the other side of the river at the end of Forest Road 2361, where the Upper South Fork becomes the Lower.  We had a key to the locked gate where Forest Road 2361 starts, off FR 23.  However, the padlock had been locked sideways, so we could not get the key in.  The gate will stay locked until the Forest Service removes the lock.

FR 23, from the vicinity of the "Elevation 945 feet" sign above the Brown Creek Campground turn-off all the way to the FR 2361 split, is very badly potholed, significantly worse than last year.  Even with a pickup truck or SUV, great care and slow speed are needed to avoid damage.  I would not try it with a typical low-ground clearance passenger car.

Started at trailhead at 10:00 AM, started up to go over the ridge, plenty of Trillium in bloom. We hiked in about 4 miles but didn't get to any regular turning around point. Trail in good shape a couple/three small creeks to cross but water low enough to make it across easily.