Having hiked to Hidden Falls from the Tarbell Trailhead, and via the Appaloosa Trail, I wanted to see how descending to the Falls from the South via the Tarbell Trail felt. But, I did not feel like hiking back up those switchbacks afterwards. I also wanted to do some vertical on the way there, in training for a hoped-for Mt St Helens hike later this month.
So, after passing Rock Creek Campground and turning south on L-1200, I took the first left onto L-1210 and parked near the locked gate. Passing the gate, and crossing the bridge, the dog and I hiked about .6 mi before turning right, south, onto L-1200A. 3 miles of hiking uphill on pleasant logging road brought us to about 3,000'. Some of that climb hit grades of 28-30, so I got the desired climbing workout.
Just before L-1200A turned south near 180C, I noticed a use trail curving NE along the trees, headed towards the Tarbell. I later saw that trail join the Tarbell. In the future, would not have hiked south on L-1200A to the official Tarbell sign, and would have taken the use trail. I did notice two places where people had scrambled down the steep embankment to/from the Tarbell as I made that half mile detour south on L-1200A, and back north on the Tarbell. Got to max altitude for the hike, at about 3067', at the Tarbell/Sturgeon Rock signs by the end of 180C.
Really enjoyed the views from the switchbacks on the Tarbell as we descended about 990' to the Falls. A few stretches of trail, above where a logging road joined, could use brushing. A few very short stretches, usually at switchbacks, hit grade 40-47. But the fall colors in the maples, against the more distant firs, mountains, and sky, looked beautiful. I enjoyed trying to figure out where across the landscape the Tarbell came in from the north along Kloochman Butte, and where the Appaloosa Trail ran through the Douglas fir forest and along L-1210 on its way back to Rock Creek Campground. Met the only other hikers I saw, a couple who said they'd camped at Hidden Falls last night, on one of the lower switchbacks.
As we approached the Falls, I could hear water sooner than I expected. Descending into the woods, I was surprised to find a rustic looking, smaller bridge spanning a lovely, rocky creek. Crossed that, went around the corner, and there was Hidden Falls! These two tributaries of South Coyote Creek merge just below the Hidden Falls bench area. The rain yesterday seems to have increased the Falls flow since the last times I've seen it. What a special spot.
The dog and I climbed up the hill to the north, until the Tarbell meets the end of the Appaloosa Trail. We headed down, west, on the latter. Love that tread, and the fir forest. Unlike last time, when we took L-1210 all the way back north to the Tarbell Trailhead, we stuck to the Appaloosa. As the trail descended to run along Coyote Creek, I looked for the old road seen on the WA DNR Lidar portal as running back up the Creek. Spotted two felled trees and other material placed to discourage horses and people from following this very brushed-in route.
The dog waded into the Creek at the bridge to cool her paws. We both appreciated soft tread on the sides of the shaded logging road as we hiked the .4 mile from the bridge to where the Appaloosa turned north. We continued west to join our earlier route on L-1210, and trekked the last .8 mi to the car.
Total terrain miles: 9.6 Total climb: 2943'
Hiking distance from parking on L-1210, taking it to the Appaloosa, then the Tarbell down the hill to Hidden Falls: 3.2 mi, for a round trip of 6.4 mi. This is the shortest approach yet I've found to the Falls. Not as pretty as taking the Appaloosa or Tarbell the whole way, but perhaps giving an accessible option for hikers not up for 8 or 10 mi. jaunts.
Comments