We arrived about 2pm. There was only one other car other than ours. Round trip we only saw about 3 people. Awesome day hike super beautiful and finding the bridge with our dog was super fun. It was a great training hike since there are a couple of uphill climbs but nothing too difficult. The way the light was hitting the ferns was magical. We got to the larger bridge and then we turned around. Was really fun and beautiful. Only minor amounts of obstacles on the trail. 

We arrived about 2pm. There was only one other car other than ours. Round trip we only saw about 3 people. Awesome day hike super beautiful and finding the bridge with our dog was super fun. It was a great training hike since there are a couple of uphill climbs but nothing too difficult. The way the light was hitting the ferns was magical. We got to the larger bridge and then we turned around. Was really fun and beautiful. Only minor amounts of obstacles on the trail. 

Not a ton of wildflowers, but the ones in bloom are beautiful. plentiful numbers of this pretty white one (i don't know the name!) and if you look carefully you can see a few wild purple orchids. 

No views but the river is beautiful, as is the moss-covered forest down after crossing the roads. Elevation gain/losses were great for a training hike.

Within the first 2 miles there are a couple downed trees, nothing too difficult to get over. A few potholes driving to the trailhead.. my Honda Fit did okay but scraped a little bit.

Looking for sweeping, majestic mountain  views? A summit to crest? Then this is probably not where you want to spend your day. However, if you’re looking for a deep forest path to navigate while you sort through your thoughts, while thinking about nothing at all, then let this trail be your guide.

My dog and I started at the lower trailhead. We arrived at about 10:30 am on a Saturday, and we were the only vehicle there. Note: there are some pretty impressive pot holes on the narrow drive in. The first 2 miles are nothing but up. It’s a great warm up! Be prepared to want to shed layers. Maybe spray some anti fog on your glasses if you depend on the spectacles.

After you reach about two miles into the trail, you’ll cross a service road before getting back on the trail. At this point, you get a little bit of a breather because you‘re greeted with a small downhill portion. I also saw bits of snow in patches off the trail, which I thought was kind of neat. There’s a portion of the trail here which is kind of gravely, so you may want to watch your footing a bit.

You'll come to another road pretty quickly, and in order to get back on the trail, you have to walk a little ways down the road to your right. There’s also a little parking area here and there were three cars parked here, so maybe more people like to park there. 

Once you get back on the trail, the scenery starts to improve substantially. You get a river and fallen trees that have been artfully created into bridges. It’s like a confidence course when crossing with a dog. “Do you trust me, mom?  That I won’t send us flying off the bridge into the river below? Do you? Do you?” A hike isn’t a hike without a bit of adrenaline thrown in for good measure. 

We eventually reached the Big Quilcene trailhead, which is where we turned around and went back the way we came. I do want to hike that trail eventually, but an 8.6 mi round trip hike was enough for one day. 

Also, side note: Going DOWN the final 2mi/2,000 ft descent presents it’s own set of uniques challenges. I slipped and fell once like the clumsy old lady that I’m not. Clumsy? Yes. Old? Negative. Make sure your shoes have a decent enough tread to catch you before you fall. Also, your legs will feel it. Maybe. I don’t know you, the person reading this trip report, but I’m just saying your legs may feel that descent.

The trail is in good condition overall. A few downed trees crossing the path at various points in the first 2 miles, but nothing a person can’t maneuver over/under.

Go and get you some nature.

The trail is in good shape, a few down trees, but nothing that is too difficult to get past.