Panther Creek Falls

[koriwallace]

Friday, 2/23/18, I hiked Panther Creek Falls and Falls Creek Falls (which I also posted a trip report for) in the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest. They are AMAZING in the winter. I almost felt like I was on another planet. Absolutely stunning. This hike is just off the road, less than 1/4 mile. The directions took us to a sorta visible parking area, only identifiable in the snow because it looked like an especially large shoulder on the right side of the road as we drove in. We parked there next to a big hill, which I will post a photo of below. Then, per the trail guide we found, we walked back towards the way we came and found human footprints going down the side of the road. After we spotted what we thought must be the trail, we found the wooden sign posted to a tree above our heads. It very much blended in with the tree. Definitely worth the short-ish drive and very short hike. Photos below.

[Webfoot]

Nice! I thought there might be too much snow on the road to get there. How was that?

[koriwallace]

I thought it was fine. I have a front-wheel drive suv. I brought chains but didn't wind up needing them. Road was a little slick & slushy but nothing that I think any NW-winter-seasoned driver can't handle. Maybe a really low car would have issues but the only other hikers there while I was were some folks in a Honda Accord without chains.