Bottom Line:
What a beautiful set of waterfalls accessible via a short, chill hike! Each of the waterfalls has a very different character, so I would not miss any of them. I can see why this must get busy later in the season, as there are inviting pools between the falls to explore by wading (bring river shoes). CAUTION: Exposure and river hazards; wading above a 90ft (Middle) waterfall can of course be very dangerous, so I would stick to the pools below the Middle Falls if you want to venture into the river. The water is currently quite cold.
Stats:
- Distance: 6-1/4 miles
- Vertical: 810 ft
- Duration: 2-1/2 hours
- Road/Parking: Parked at the Bud Blancher trailhead just minutes from downtown Eatonville. Large lot with pretty much unlimited parking. Toilet. No parking pass required. The area is under video surveillance for security purposes.
- Weather: Sunny, light wind, 60-70Fs; beautiful light, although the combination of bright sunlight and shadows on the falls were a little challenging to photograph
- Trail: The trail is easy to navigate with signage the whole way. It starts with an "urban" gravel/mulch trail, and after two lovely bridges over the Marshel, and then Little Marshel rivers respectively, exits to the Little Marshel singletrack trail on the left. After a brief climb through a wonderfully "glowy" forest, you arrive at a cluster of tiered waterfalls accessible from various spurs (to hiker's left). There are some down trees to duck under above the Middle Falls. The trail is also washed out near the Upper Falls viewpoint making it more difficult to descend to river level. The trail is beautiful - wooded with lots of flowers, from daisies to salmonberry and woodland star. Moderately busy at the Middle Falls but otherwise had the other falls to myself. There are Rainier views near the trailhead, and on the trail if you go high enough. The water is cold, and somewhat brown from tannin seepage. One can walk under the waterfall curtain at Middle Falls. CAUTION: Exposure at times, and definite river hazards with current water levels. The rocks are exceedingly slippery, both in and out of the water.
- Takeaway: Definitely a surprise! Would be good to visit with some fall color or winter ice. As water levels continue to drop, the falls will become more and more lacy making for good pics. The pools below the falls will also become more accessible, and with some summer heat, will make quite the chill spot. I would recommend river shoes and a pole if you plan to explore.
Higher resolution pics are available at the Instagram link below.
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