The trail is in pretty good shape. There were 2-3 small trees across the trail but they were easily stepped over. There is some light debris on the trail but we moved the larger branches off to the side. There were a few muddy spots, mostly near the beginning of the hike. There were two patches of snow to cross, maybe 15-20 feet wide each. There's been enough traffic through them that there are rough, almost flat steps in the snow. Fortunately, they were not sheets of ice. There are a few other patches of snow along the trail but not completely covering it. There is, of course, ample evidence of the Eagle Creek fire. We explored the pinnacles for a few minutes. Sometime this winter a tree went down along the side trail up to the rocks. We got the larger broken branches off the trail but there are still one to two that you might have to lift out of the way. There is an older blowdown on the other side but it doesn't affect the trail.
Herman Creek and Pacific Crest Falls have plenty of water flowing. Be careful of your footing when you cross the creek below the waterfall. The crossing is about 8 feet wide now and just deep enough to make it difficult to judge your footing. What may look and initial feel solid may not be. You don't want to fall into the rocks like I did. Despite that, it was a nice hike and a reasonable way to justify a stop at Thunder Island Brewery.
The ridge peeking out from the clouds
- creek
Pacific Crest Falls
