If you don't have a whole day for hiking, then head for the Snoquera
Falls Trail (#1167), a nice hike that is best in April or May, when
spring rain and snowmelt make the falls spectacular. The water cascades
in a narrow ribbon for 300 ft. and then spreads out like a curtain for
another 100 ft. In the summer and fall there is often just a trickle.
But even that can feel good on a hot summer day.
The trail to Snoquera Falls is behind the Camp Sheppard Boy Scout
Camp on Hwy 410. Thanks to the work of the Boys Scouts and the NW
Forest Service this trail is open year round. It is a nice uphill hike,
about 2 miles in length, so not too difficult. The hike starts off in
old growth forest around the outside boundaries of the camp. After
crossing trail #ll99, you start your trek up the hill through 2nd growth
forest with a few larger trees along the way. The forest floor is
covered in moss, ferns and Oregon Grape. The vine maple in the area is
especially beautiful in the fall. Occasionally the trail passes by very
large boulders the size of a shed and you'll wonder how they got there.
As you get closer to the falls you will see the results of a huge
rockslide that occurred sometime in the early spring of 2008. You can
view the falls from this side of the creek, but to really experience
how awesome they truly are, cross the creek, on rocks, and climb the
very steep trail up the left rock-face to the base of the falls.
(Sometimes, if the snow melt is heavy, you may not be able to cross the
creek safely.) Here is where the 400 ft. drop really means something!!!
The view across the valley is pretty nice, too.
Author's Note: the main trail does continue on past the creek, but I
don't recommend it. We have only taken the loop trail once. It's much
longer and there is a stretch of short switchbacks crossing and
re-crossing a large rock fall. You feel a little unnerved when you hear
rocks move above you even if it's probably an upset squirrel tossing
stuff at you. Not suggested for the average hiker.
The trailhead is located in the parking lot on the right side of the
entrance road to Camp Sheppard. Although the camp itself is not open to
the public, they were nice enough to put bathrooms outside the gate. The
trail begins just left of those bathrooms. Although you need to
negotiate a couple of junctions (trail #'s 1169 and 1199) to get to the
falls, the Boy Scouts have provided lots of signs, so you shouldn't get
lost. There are also places to park on and just off of Highway 410, a
little past the camp entrance road, at the Mile 53 mark. You have to
look closely, but there is a trail sign there. Don't forget your NW
Forest or Interagency Pass!!
- Mary Janosik, Visit Rainier Hiking Expert
For information on visiting Mt. Rainier, its surrounding communities,
and to see which properties are currently offering lodging specials,
visit www.visitrainier.com.
Visit Rainier is a not-for-profit, non-membership destination
marketing organization that promotes tourism in the gateway communities
around Mt. Rainier.
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