Snoquera Falls Loop — Friday, May. 18, 2007

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

Friend and I were a little concerned as we headed up 410 out of Enumclaw on Saturday morning. It wasn't the rain that bothered us - it was the half dozen sheriff's Suburbans we saw along the road. We got to the parking lot at Camp Sheppard, and a Pierce County sheriff in a blue jumpsuit walked past us. I was a little more concerned when a Department of Corrections van pulled up to the gate of the campground. I asked the sheriff if they were looking for someone. He laughed and told me that there was a huge SAR conference going on at Crystal Mountain. Thus feeling a little more sure that we'd be found if we got lost, friend and I headed up the trail. The trail is clear and snow-free all the way up. There were a half dozen trees across the trails, but the two of us managed to get over or under them with only a minor amount of clumsiness. The falls were spectacular, with enough water to really show off the large drop and the bridal veil, but not enough to keep us from crossing the creek below the falls. No muddy spots, no snow.