There is a big blowdown on the road one mike from the trailhead.

The original goal was to go up to the Lower Big Quilcene for the first time, but due to a landslide on 101 outside of Hoodsport I made a last minute change to Staircase. 

Surprisingly, saw relatively few people in the parking lot even when I got back around noon. 

Trail is in great condition. Did the loop clockwise, and there was only one section that was a little wet. Surprisingly little mud, no blowdowns, and the overall was pretty dry. Nice to just get out and get some fresh air. 

The gravel road back to Lake Cushman can be terrible, but not this time.  There were potholes, but nothing too deep and easily avoided.  The trail is snow free.  We took the Four Stream trail and turned around about a half mile in when we encountered a large rock to climb up and over that some members of our party were reluctant to do on this rain/wet day.  After crossing the suspension bridge we went left/upstream for a couple of miles enjoying the trees, mosses, and the river until we ran into a creek crossing that was fast and deep enough that most members of our party didn't want to cross.  There were a few muddy sections along the flatter parts of the trail, and between the suspension bridge and the trailhead on the way back in (going clockwise) there was a short stretch where water was running over the trail, but it wasn't very deep.  The most problematic aspect of the day came when we ran into 3 large dogs, running, barking, and off-leash.  I don't usually comment/correct, but I did on this day as we were in a national park (they had passed two signs about "no pets allowed") and the dogs approached us in such a way that one member of our party was frightened.  The owners didn't get defensive, but made annoying excuses for their behavior:  they didn't know dogs weren't allowed, they had seen several other dogs that day (we had seen none), and they put their dogs on leash when they see other people.  We didn't let it ruin our lovely day full of lush greens and the beautiful colors in the river, and we  had just enough rain mixed with sunshine to remind us how fortunate we are to live in this amazing place.  

We used Google maps to navigate and were directed to make a left across the Bear Gulch causeway/bridge and up Dry Creek Trail; after driving this way for about 10 minutes we realized it was incorrect. There are campsites on the west side of the gulch, but Staircase rapids is NOT accessible from that side. Moreover, Google Maps reported NF-24 closed from Nov-May, this was NOT true either. Don't believe Google maps over the signs in the National Forest, Google has very little incentive to make sure their maps are correct.

The hike was a beautiful hike after not having been on the trail for 18 months due to moving and caring for a sick family member. There are drop in toilets near the pay station, they weren't immaculate when we were there but they didn't smell and were stocked with TP and hand sanitizer.

The trail starts across the big bridge or up past the ranger station. There is a turn off near the bridge to head up Four Stream trail; there was a washout about a half-mile in past Beaver Flats. It wasn't impassable but there were more opportunities to fall into glacial run-off than we were comfortable taking. On the north side of the trail there was another wash out. This was passable but took some balancing across some logs thrown across or slopping through some inch+ deep water.

This was a beautiful hike. The portion just above the overflow parking lot gives a neat glimpse of the potential for a grueling hike up to Wagonwheel Lake, but just a taste, its not trying just steep for a spell.

This hike was a last minute decision since it was raining in Olympia and I wasn't sure I wanted to hike in the rain. But, Staircase is easy to get to and a good hike even if it is raining a little. I arrived at the parking lot by the bridge around 9:30 and was the only car there. The rain had stopped, the temperature was 41 degrees and the air was damp, but it turned out to be a good day to hike along the river. The trail was in good condition, a little muddy in spots, but no large puddles to wade through. Some small patches of snow along the way, but nothing on the trail. The Skokomish River was flowing fast and had the beautiful turquoise color that has become characteristic for the Skokomish River. The sound of the rushing water actually made for a peaceful hike. When I got to the suspension bridge, walked across it but then returned and continued up river a little ways to Beaver Flat where I stopped for lunch before returning back to the car. I only saw two other hikers on my walk back to the car and for the most part had the day to myself.  =efh=