Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap
2 days ago
Fall colors are outstanding right now
12 this month · 66 reports
Skookum Flats
Mount Rainier Area
updated 3 weeks ago
Skookum Flats trail appears to be in good condition with no snow, according to reports from July and August 2026. The road access is suitable for all vehicles, and bugs were not a significant issue for most visitors. Hikers can expect a pleasant walk through a lush forest, with the White River running parallel to the path. Some fallen trees were noted as obstacles in late July, but a work crew may have cleared them by mid-July. Skookum Falls itself was described as a trickle in early July. Parking was generally light, with many reports indicating the trail was mostly empty.
Generated from 51 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.
The trail is not ideal for running due to its awkward and technical terrain, with many large rocks. One hiker rolled their ankle while trail running in late July due to the lack of flow on the path.
Reports from August 2026 indicate the trail was in good condition with no significant obstacles. However, a report from late July mentioned several fallen trees requiring step-overs and duck-unders.
In early July, Skookum Falls were barely a trickle and mostly obscured by encroaching vine maples. There are no reports from August detailing the falls' condition.
One report from mid-August mentioned spotting a bear with a cub near the beginning of the trail, which quickly ran away. Another report from early July noted seeing a Douglas squirrel and hearing song sparrows and wrens.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent3 weeks ago
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...
Older1 month ago
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...
Older2 months ago
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...
Older2 months ago
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...
Older2 months ago
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...
Older3 months ago
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...
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
I hiked Skookum from the South(Rd 7160) -- All clear to the Falls. There is still that one slightly washed out cliffy area. Might cause some people pause.There are still about 6 or 7 trees to get ov...
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Despite a couple of blowdowns that require some ducking, bending, and stepping over, this trail still remains a great walk in the woods. Today, a group of us only went eight miles round-trip. We wen...
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Started at the north entrance(Rd 73). Trail has been logged for the 1st mile. The rest of the way to the falls has about 5 unlogged downed trees to get over.I went about 1/2 mile past the falls and ...
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
I continue to be amazed at how much damage that March (?) storm did. Evidence of so many trees across the trail. A WTA work party was out on the trail today making the trail much easier to navigate. T...