Long week called for a long Saturday hike to get away from assignments and people and college prep. Did some research on some river valleys I could wander up, and decided on the North Fork of the Skokomish as my best bet.

Got to the trailhead at about 8:10 am. Road in national forest portion on upper end of Lake Cushman is very potholey, but no potholes are more than a foot deep. Just lots of them. Road in national park is beautifully paved as always. When I left the parking lot I was the only car parked in staircase area. Started hike about 8:35 am.

First few miles of trail were what you’d expect from a river valley in the Olympics, steady grade, damp trail, and big trees. Intermittent patches of snow every 20 feet or so become more frequent about 3-4 miles in. Weather was nice, trees were drippy from storm night before though so very wet. Much of the trail for a lot of the day Mother Nature was using as a stream bed instead, which lead to wet shoes. About 5 miles in started to see lots of animal tracks, from my best guesses I saw: elk, black bear, cougar, and raccoon. Saw 5 humans total during the day.

I followed North Fork trail about 7 miles in to Camp Pleasant, when snow became deeper and entirely consistent. Had a pb&j and then turned around. On way back I decided to check out the Flapjack trail, which ascends steep switchbacks for a half mile and then curves around the hillside at a steadier grade. Most of the climb the snow (slush) was intermittent, until 3 miles up the flapjack trail when it became 6 or 7 inches deep. Was running short on time so I turned around at a neat waterfall, about .6 mile shy of the lakes. Will have to return next season.

Final stretches of trail were self explanatory, yet even wetter than the morning as rain had passed through and the slush was even more slushy. For another change of scenery I took the staircase rapids alternate trail across the bridge back to the ranger station, and enjoyed more river views with misty snowy peaks looming above. Got back to truck at 4:25 pm.

Hike was ~21 miles total. 14.2 out and back on north fork trail and 6.5 on flapjack spur. Very moist day on the trail, with a great example of the variability of weather in late fall in the mountains. While not one with show stopping vistas, hike was peaceful, refreshing, yet also exciting (the big game tracks were at least) 🐆🐻🌦️

Road has some potholes. Not overly large. No obstruction on the drive in.The large boulder in the road is now gone. Thanks park service or whomever removed the boulder.  Beautiful blue sky day. Arrived at the trailhead about 930 am. 3rd car parked near the bridge. No cars in the larger parking lot. Early arrival almost meant a little on the cooler side, just above freezing. 2 pit potties, both were open. Trail is great, only a couple of sections that were excessively muddy/water on the trail. One tree over the trail. It might have been there for a while. Easy to walk around. Bridge and two foot bridges were a little frosty. I was cautious with the foot bridge that did not have a hand rail, the smallest of the 3. Watched a trail runner slip on it a little. Lots of mushrooms today. Was a great time and day to be outdoors.

I have absolutely no idea why I ever doubt the word of my fellow trip reporters when they tell me the road to my destination hike is a hot mess. But I always find myself thinking “oh, it surely can’t be that bad.” Today, I promise myself I will just STOP doing that.

The forest service road around Lake Cushman to Staircase is much deteriorated since the last time I went. I still believe it is passable with any car, but plan to slow to a crawl to ease in and out of the unavoidable pits. There is no clear path in some stretches, and at one point yesterday there was a sizable boulder taking up one lane.

All that being said, Staircase Rapids is as lush and stimulating as any Olympic Peninsula river walk. It is a perfect distance for little kids and we saw a bunch of families with young children out in all manner of colorful raingear. Thank you grownups who know how important it is to indoctrinate youngsters into all weather walking. And get out there to view the last fall color. It really is spectacular.

Belatedly posting a trip report to share a picture of the boulder on the road that another trip report mentioned. This picture is from 11/10. Definitely passable at that time but a bit disconcerting to see on the road and a clear slide above. We were there before most of the rain and wind over the long weekend so not sure how conditions changed over the course of the weekend.  Road was other wise just slow going with all the potholes as mentioned. Enjoyed hiking part of the loop with kids and grandparents. Great fall colors and fungi. 

Hiked Staircase with my 6 month old.  The drive up is pretty tough on the gravel road.  LOTS of potholes! Hiking trail is in good condition, only muddy in some areas.  Only passed a few people the entire hike.  Have your parking pass with you. No one was at the trailhead to purchase one! Great parking areas, bathrooms/trash bins here, as well.