20.5 miles of hiking • 2500' elevation gain •
Saw: Owl (Spotted?), Elk, Rough Skinned Newt
After seeing the report last week, I had to make it up there. I highly recommend going tomorrow or Sunday if you can, as the recent temps and melt have made the waterfalls super great!
Just be careful of the trail/creek/waterfall just before the Chinook bridge, should you go in the next two days - it's best to cross using the green protruding log about 50 ft up the waterfall, or you can cross higher and bushwhack it. Both Chinook and Wildcat creeks, and of course Siouxon, are unsafe to pass (again, assuming current water levels)
The roads are free from snow, as is the trail for the first several miles. ATS (annoying trail snow) starts at 1800ft on Siouxon and 2300ft on Horseshoe Ridge.
Given the current water levels, I'd recommend trail runners - you're gonna get your feet wet, boots or not, as there are several places where the trail becomes a creek (or waterfall) - may as well have the quicker drying option.
Also a recommendation to start with the first 3 miles, parking at the hairpin - a really nice forest walk.
Kyle Meyer
April 2, 2011
Great photos. In the summer, the waterfall in photo #9 has an exposed rock you can jump from into the pool, which is much less whitewater and much more opal-colored and happy. Good times.