Skookum Flats

Mount Rainier Area

updated 3 weeks ago

Skookum Flats is currently snow-free, and the road is suitable for all vehicles, with no reported bugs as of October 19. The trail itself is in good condition, though some muddy patches may exist in side creek drainages. Skookum Falls are dry, presenting as a soft trickle of drops October 10 or completely dry. Trail workers have recently cleared downed trees, making the path easier to navigate after high winds. Parking is generally available, with reports of no cars at the trailhead on a weekday morning October 19 and at 9 am on a Sunday, though crowds can be light with only a few other hikers seen. Fall colors are still present in the vine maples, adding to the scenic experience.

Generated from 55 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.

What hikers ask about Skookum Flats

Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 3 weeks ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.

No trip reports on this trail in 3 weeks, so everything below is at least that old.

No, as of October 10, Skookum Falls are only a soft trickle of drops, and were completely dry on October 1 and October 19. Hikers report that the falls are often dry this time of year.

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Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

We had a great fall hike on Skookum Flats today!No cars were at the Buck Creek south trailhead entrance when we pulled in at 9:50.The trail head lot was muddy with several potholes.It was 48 degrees w...

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

Pleasant hike with fall colors and great views of the river. We arrived at 1pm on a Sunday and had no trouble parking. The trail is across the road from the lot, and was not crowded. We opted not to h...

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

Started the trail at 9:30 am on a Saturday morning and ran into a handful families and dogs at various points, but only in passing except at the falls.Clear trail from the parking lot to the base of t...

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

What a great fall day on the gorgeous Skookum Flats hike! We started from FS73 and did the shorter version to the Falls - which were of course BONE DRY as they often are this time of year. Only saw on...

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

Arrived at the trailhead at 9am, no other cars. This was a nice and easy hike for my 3rd trimester pregnant self. A beautiful walk through the Forrest with lots of moss, lichen, fungi and the white ri...

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

We arrived around 4 pm to hike the trail and had it all to ourselves. We did spot a bear with a cub at the beginning of the trail about 30ft away from the main trail, luckily once they noticed us they...

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

Several fallen tree step-overs and duck-unders. It's a decent hiking path but I would not recommend trail running here, as the terrain is awkward and technical. I usually enjoy technical runs, but I r...

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

We got to the trail head at 7:00 AM and we were the only ones in the parking lot.  When we returned a few more cars had shown up including vehicles for a work crew we met on our way out.  Mostly had t...

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

We went to Suntop Lookout today and hiked Skookum Flats.  The last 2 driving miles up to Suntop Lookout are super rutted and large rocks are exposed.  I would not attempt driving up here in a low clea...

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

We got to the trailhead around 8:30 and there was only one other car. The trail is mostly a pretty forest trail along the river, nothing spectacular, but still worth it. It is in decent condition, som...