Little Mashel Falls Trail is a 5.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Eatonville, Washington that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
birding
hiking
nature trips
trail running
walking
forest
river
views
waterfall
wild flowers
wildlife
bugs
muddy
over grown
rocky
NOTE: DO NOT try to access the falls from the Alder Cutoff - people die each year slipping on rocks from trails on that side. The recommended way to see the falls is by entering from Highway 7. Follow the yellow diamonds on the trees, and there are 2 brown signs (1 for lower and 1 pointing up the trail for the upper). Muddy areas, due to recent rains, can make this trail slippery at times, so beware and be careful at all times. The trail takes you through a set of three waterfalls. Two are medium sized and the third is very large. About 125 ft drop. Access is a little tricky but well worth it. DO NOT bring children or adults that are not in good physical condition to the third waterfall. The name of this waterfall should not be construed as a descriptive in any way, shape or form. The little in the name stems from the river, and is actually quite the opposite of the waterfall itself. The largest of the three major waterfalls in the gorge, the Little Mashel River drops over a small punchbowl before sliding down a smooth concave lip and veiling 125 feet into a pile of large boulders in the gorge below. If you are fortunate enough to visit the falls in the spring when the river it at it's peak, you'll encounter a spectacular wall of water and spray. In the late summer, the falls become much more placid and tame, and actually provide an opportunity to walk behind the falling water. All three waterfalls along the river here are popular locations for the locals to come and hang around and the level of trash in the area reflects this.
The first 2/3 is somewhat boring, as you walk along a gravel road. Once you turn off into the woods to falls, it all changes. The Falls themselves are worth the hike. Be sure to take the path to the top of the falls and the one to the bottom. They are two different, equally beautiful views!
I'd also add to the sentiments below - bring a map! We downloaded the All Trails app and still took a couple wrong turns.
Not well marked at all. Make sure you go with someone who knows the way or download the map from All Trails Pro. The walk on the gravel access road is easy, but the hikes down to the falls are very steep. Don't make the mistake I did and leave your hiking poles in the trunk of your car. I would have felt much better having had them. The falls were so beautiful, but very low. This made it easy to go behind the falls. Would like to go again in April or May when the falls are higher.
The waterfalls and tide pools are awesome!! Its just very unwell marked and we will have to go back to see more that we apparently missed!!
Fun hike with beautiful waterfall at the end!
8/30/2017 (Wednesday) - This route seems more popular than one may imagine. On a weekday, the parking log of about 10 cars is full. It is mostly a gravel forest road, and the trail goes down to the falls is the last 1/4 mile, rather steep but well-maintained. In this dry season, the falls has very little water.
Loved were I ended up so worth the walk!
The trail was easy to follow because the tracker helped a lot. We missed the turned but went back to the right trail to the falls. The end destination was great!
Just a reminder!!! Before taking off make sure to not leave any visible items in vehicle! Sadly, our vehicle got broken into with a smashed passenger window.