Great hike to get out of the house on a misty Saturday. The hike is a little difficult to find. As other hikers have described, when you turn left onto SE 112th st it then becomes 169th Ave SE. Right after it changes into 169th the trail head will be on your right. The reason it was difficult for me to find was because the sign is directly in front of a residential driveway and mailbox. So never hiking this trail before, I missed the sign because I automatically thought it was the driveway to the house. Once I headed on the trail it was a easy day hike in the mountains. Beautiful foliage, stream, and not very crowded. If you want to be in the mountains and away from society, this isn't your hike. It is in the background of a few residential homes. Also, you have to cross the road to connect to the rest of the trail. I would definitely do it again and probably go further into the Cascade Mountain.

The trip I posted before accidentally linked to Barclay Lake??? I am frustrated when I try and edit the info and I can't. Anyhow, we did Licorice Fern on Tuesday after Christams to keep families active and enjoy the beautiful sunny day! there are geocaches on this trail, a waterfall and a lookout when you join onto other trails.

Great hike with many families and kids to stay active over the Christmas break. The waterfall was great and overall a very pleasant hike. We did a scavenger hunt and some geocaching… there are several geocaches on this trail and at the neighborhood about a mile in off the licorice fern trail

Overall, the road was in great shape, no muddy spots, etc. Given the high temperatures forecasted for Saturday, I decided to explore this trail very early, all the way to the Far Country Falls. I arrived at 9:15 am and, with the right directions, I was able to quickly find the head trail hiking sign (which is very easy to miss). The only car around, I parked along 169th ave SE and headed towards the gravel path. The first part of the trail was very quiet, no birds, breeze, there people, animals.. except for mosquitos and bugs, and a few spider webs--but they were actually not a big issue. The one-person path quickly gains elevation but it was not strenuous. When you meet Licorice Road, you are half-way. Cross the road towards the wooden posts and the trail sign on the left, along the road. The trail soon heads back into the trees. The second section of the road was much wider and not as steep, with more light and birds everywhere. The Licorice trail ends on a T junction for the Indian trail. Go left. Five minutes after (45 min since I arrived), I encountered 4 other hikers who were coming from Shy Bear. I marched on and as I approached the SI Far Country signpost, I met many joggers who descend from Shy Bear onto the Indian Trail north (it seems there was a race). I decided to visit the Far County Falls, but they were dry. Then I climbed up to the check out the Far Country overlook. This was a nice resting spot, with a little bit of a welcomed breeze. I head back towards my car and just one other car parked behind mine--which just confirms that this is a rarely-visited trail, perfect for those seeking solitude.

Licorice Fern trail is a delightful trail. I took a group of 7 ladies (2 new to hiking) and all were enthused to hike more. Sadly, I saw very few Licorice Ferns!! Maybe it has been to dry and they have shriveled up. All directions to the trail head start in Seattle. Here is how I got there from Puyallup. East on H 512, North on H 167, North on H 405. Exit #5 onto H 900. It changes street names several times as you wind along. At 6 miles, Left onto 164th Ave SE (signal). Take first right onto SE May Valley Rd, go straight onto SE 112th St in one block. Less than 1/2 mile the road takes a bend to the left and becomes 169th Ave SE. At the bend, look for a hiker sign on the Right at a driveway. Park on the street away from driveways. The trail head is a few paces up the driveway easement. The creek at the falls was dry but still a pretty mossy ravine. It is a woodsy trail in good condition. The intersections were marked.