Skookum Flats

Directions

Drive east on State Highway 410 from Enumclaw 24.8 miles to Huckleberry Creek Road #73. Turn right (south) onto Road #73 and follow 0.4 mile to trailhead just past bridge. Trailhead is on left (east) side of road.

Another access point is 5.1 miles south on Road #73 to Buck Creek Road #7160.

Notes

This popular trail follows the west side of the White River through thick forest covered in moss to the main attraction: Skookum Falls. Best views of the falls are in spring during runoff of winter snow and rain. Follow the river for 2.1 miles to Skookum Falls. The best time to view the falls is from early spring to June. Continue past the falls to mile 3.1 to view rock formation, "The Palisades," across the river to the east.

Reach the junction with Buck Creek Trail 1169 at mile 4.1 and at mile 5.7 go under the concrete bridge for Buck Creek Road 7160. At mile 6.7 reach the south end of Ranger Creek Emergency Airstrip near FS road 7190. The trail ends at Mt. Rainier National Park Boundary.

Note: Much of the trail is on the river's edge and is inaccessible when the river runs high. The river banks are rearranged often with soft silt deposited into the forest that can suck you in over your boots.