Rainbow Falls Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Rainbow Falls Old Growth Trailhead
- End point: Hemlock-Deer Trail Junction
- Hike type: Loop
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 170 feet
- High point: 450 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
Little Rainbow Falls plunges through a defile on the Chehalis River, the main attraction for most in this state park constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935. Once a substantial footbridge connected the service area of the park, including its picnic area, field, and campground, with the “secret” section south of the Chehalis River. This forested hillside protects one of the last parcels of old growth in the Willapa Hills, and trails loop around under tall Douglas-fir, hemlock, and cedar in a lush understory of devil’s club, thimbleberry, and sword fern. You can see both the old growth area and the falls by parking alongside Highway 6, but to access all the park’s amenities, you’ll have to cross the river east or west of the old growth section and enter via Leudinghaus Road.
From the parking area with its big Douglas-fir, head towards the Chehalis River, where you’ll see the south abutment of the footbridge that was washed away by flooding in 2007. The developed area of the park is across the river, but you can work your way down to get closer to little Rainbow Falls. In summer, there will no doubt be a number of visitors here where the Chehalis River pours through a defile on an exposed rock bench. In the wet season, the river runs over these rocks and also uses a channel that carves into its south bank.
To begin the old-growth loop, cross the road to a large old TRAILS sign, and turn right. You’ll pass an old shed and soon reach a covered picnic shelter. Bear left and then right at a sign for the Deer Trail. This trail burrows through one of the last old-growth stands in the Chehalis Valley, with big Douglas-firs, cedar, and hemlocks forming a canopy with leafy big-leaf maples. The trail crosses a footbridge where huge lady ferns and spiky devil’s club flourish. Vine maple, sword fern, thimbleberry, oxalis, and foam flower dominate in the understory. The Deer Trail rises alongside a clearcut for a short spell and then dives back into the dark forest. After passing a bench, you’ll make an abrupt turn left.
The trail passes above a devil’s club bowl in a grove of cedars. At the junction with the Woodpecker Trail, stay right to descend and pass over a couple of small footbridges. Then you’ll ascend again to an old road bed. Keep left here to drop past a concrete cistern and an impressive Douglas-fir. Then turn right on the Hemlock Trail, and gradually rise to approach a clearcut again. At another junction, follow the sign for the Deer Trail to descend through an alder copse and then pass under an arbor of mossy vine maples. In this area, the old growth has been logged (as signified by some large stumps), and you’ll bear left to pass another junction. Keep straight to cross a footbridge over a small creek to reach the big TRAILS sign. Here, cross the road to get to your car.
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Discover Pass required in main area of park north of the river on Leudinghaus Road
- Restrooms, picnic tables, campground, interpretive signs in main area of park
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Rainbow Falls Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Rainbow Falls Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Day Hiking: Olympic Peninsula by Craig Romano
- Washington State Parks: A Complete Recreation Guide by Marge & Ted Mueller
More Links
- Rainbow Falls State Park (Washington State Parks)
- Rainbow Falls State Park (Washington Trails Association)
- Rainbow Falls State Park (Hike of the Week)
- Oxalis, Hemlock and Deer Trail (All Trails)
- Rainbow Falls State Park (Discover Lewis County)
- Rainbow Falls State Park (State Parks.com)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)