This trail is also known as the Quinault Loop Trail. I parked at the trailhead about 0900 on a clear, cool, November Friday morning and there was only one vehicle in the parking lot. Even when I came back about 1130, there were only a few cars. Lots of parking. There were restrooms, but they were not available. (Not sure why...) This particular day was a federal holiday and everything in town appeared to be closed including the Ranger Station, Mercantile and Museum.

I started on the Rain Forest Nature Trail, heading left from the parking lot. This trail is a short loop back to the parking lot. Instead of looping back, I continued the on the Quinault Loop Trail. Signage is good most of the way. There are a couple locations where there appears to have been signage at one time, but not anymore as the signposts are there, but no signs. There is fencing in areas that oversee Willaby Creek and there is a platform built around a large tree right at the start. There are a lot of interpretive signs describing various trees, plants, and animals and are in good condition. The fencing is in rough shape in some places and the platform is missing some boards.  The trail starts with a nice walk along the creek and then narrows and veers up into the forest. There are several benches along the way and the trail becomes more narrow, with some ferns and other foliage leaning over the trail. There are many large trees and lots of foliage - large maple leaves that dwarf my hands in fall colors. 

Continuing on the trail, I thought I missed the turnoff to Cascade Falls, but soon ran into one of those blank signs and could hear the falls, so I knew to veer right. Falls Creek is up first and a little ways down the trail is Cascade Falls. Beautiful falls! The trail becomes more rocky and covered in wet leaves in some places and continues uphill at an easy place. At times you come out of the canopy and the sky is a welcome sight. 

Once past Cascade Falls, you can further turn off to Gatton Creek Falls, but I continued the loop by crossing South Shore Drive, and picking up the trail behind the Ranger Station and Lake Quinault Lodge. There are signs pointing the direction of the trail once you get to the water. I was a little unsure where to go, but was able to find the trail pretty easily. The trail along the water starts out in good condition and there are a number of trees with labels along the way + more interpretive signage. It was disappointing to see all the ivy climbing the trees (invasive?). Soon however, at the lower elevations, it appears the once nice trail has taken a beating. The trail runs in front of Quinault residences, along the lake. In many places, the trail is covered with logs, tires (3!), and trash. There was only one sign noting a portion of the trail was washed out in one location. The trail ends at the Willaby Campground and then it is a short walk under the road and back to the parking lot.

I really enjoyed the forested trail which was about 3 miles. I saw nobody on this trail, despite its popularity. The portion of the trail loop along the lake was about 1 mile (I would skip it in the future if I can find a better way back to my car) and then it was about .3 miles back to the parking lot from the campground. If you have time, drive down South Shore Drive and take the quick trail (.3 miles) to the World's Largest Sitka Spruce Tree. There is a sign and parking just after the post office.

     An excellent hike on a gorgeous day in the Olympic National Forest!  I did not expect the constant sunshine and 70-degree weather that had me hiking this trail in short sleeves - I mean, this is the Olympics!

     We extended the 4.5-mile hike outlined in this trail description to about a 7.5-mile loop, and it was fantastic. We parked at the Quinault Rainforest Nature Loop trailhead as described, and followed the directions until the junction with the Gatton Creek Falls Trail. Instead of cutting back in to the South Shore Road, we continued along the 1.5-mile trail to Gatton Falls, which is definitely worth it!  This part of the trail was MUCH less traveled, and not as well maintained as the rest of the loop.  In parts, the trail was overlapping with ferns on both sides (and some prickly blackberry bushes) but it was totally passable.  After we reached Gatton Falls, we continued on the additional mile to the World's Largest Spruce tree, and then followed the South Shore Road back to the Falls Creek Campground and Ranger Station (which is closed) and then along the shoreline trail to the original trailhead. All in all, we think we clocked around 7.5 miles.

     A few notes: There are flush toilets and running water at the trailhead, and there IS a self-service pay station (it is $5 per car).  The mosquitos were definitely out today, so remember to bring your bug spray and you'll be okay.  There are quite a few salmonberries coming in along the trail, though not as many wildflowers as I'd hoped for this point in the season. The Park Ranger station at the Falls Creek Campground is closed with no signs of re-opening in the near future.  Happy trails!

Not much to report on this one. It is a great trail to hit for a leg stretcher if in the area! Be sure to take the quick trip to view the falls.  If up for more, you can continue to do the Quinault Loop Trail.

Updated 31may2022 ~08:15 : up/along Quinault Loop 854, there's a "Connector" to Gatton Creek Trail. However, i did not connect/continue to Gatton Creek Trail because i had earlier on 29may2022 evening read online at the ONF website that the Gatton Creek Trail is/was "CLOSED". < Please read my "next" report for more details of the "Closure" >

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30may2022 ~09:30 (mid_40s_F), i was the 6th to arrive at the parking for the Quinault Rainforest Nature Trail. And when i got back at ~12:00 (low 50s_F), the parking (for ~20 vehicles) was almost full.

During my ~2 hr ~4 miles of ramble (CW): Trailhead > Rainforest Nature Trail > Quinault Loop Trail #854 > Trailhead, i encountered/noticed a total of ~30 people: toddlers, children, teenagers, young adults, .. Golden Seniors 👍👍👍; mostly were at/along Lake Quinault. Everyone i encountered were cheery, courteous and friendly.

The Story-boards were very interesting, fun reading and learning. The Trails seemed maintained, and were in reasonably good walking condition despite a few muddy spots. The Restroom (Flushed Toilet) beside the Trailhead/parking was opened and reasonably clean - thank you NFS 👍

Happy Trails Everyone 😀

my GaiaGPS track:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.1/-123.8710/47.4619&pubLink=NCHM6Qz2mBk3zhWLu5bPgnRN&trackId=40bc918903cb440af92410906478bd5218ee60c7

Disclaimer: i didn't hike the Gatton Creek Trail #888. This is just a report of my "findings" about the (conflicting) "status" of the Gatton Creek Trail #888.

29may2022 evening (and 31may2022 08:25), the "status" of the Gatton Creek Trail #888 was "Closed"
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recarea/?recid=47751

30may2022 morning, cos ONF was OFF (Memorial Day holiday), i couldn't verify with the Quinault Ranger about the status of the Gatton Creek Trail #888.

30may2022 morning, during my ~2 hr ramble of the Rain Forest Nature Trail - Quinault Loop 854, i came upon a "Connector" to Gatton Creek Trail - but saw no Posting(s) of its "closure". i didn't connect/continue to Gatton Creek Trail. Instead, i continue and finished the Quinault Loop 854.

30may2022 ~11:45, i drove to the ("North") Trailhead of Gatton Creek Trail. i saw no Posting(s) of the Trail "Closure". Getting more puzzled, i drove to the Quinault Ranger Station to seek for more information, but found no information about the "Closed" Gatton Creek Trail.

i had a lunch-break at the Quinault Ranger Station parking while pondering whether to attempt a ramble of the Gatton Creek Trail.

30may2022 ~12:30 from the Quinault Ranger Station parking, i walked to the ("South") Trailhead of Gatton Creek Trail .. and there i saw the Postings of the "Significant Trail Damage Ahead, Trail Closed At This Time" .. 😓

Well, that's it - no ramble of the Gatton Creek Trail for me this time around ..

For those who plan to hike the Gatton Creek Trail, imho - its better/safer to verity with the Quinault Park Ranger.