Backpack - Skookum Flats & Falls

This will be an easy and a bit quirky backpack plus day hikes trip.  My thought--"Why go all that way and not camp-out on the beautiful White River."

Itinerary:

Day 1

Meet at Shepard's Camp TH and 'day hike' Snoquera Falls Loop 3.5 miles 900' gain.  There are about 7 down trees to negotiate

Set up shuttle for  backpack portion --Skookum Falls via Skookum Flats Trail.  We will start from the south TH at FS RD 7160

Backpack about 2 miles to our campsite along White River--I have two sites I have previously checked out--one on the river and one in the forest on a flat bench area.  Set of camp and relax along the river.  After dinner optional hike up to the falls if desired.  We may have a camp fire.

Day 2

Pack-up camp and head further north on the Skookum Flats trail--see the falls (likely again) on the way and at 3.4 miles we are at the north TH and a shuttle car.

After retrieving the other shuttle car, we stop on the way home at Federation Forest State Park and take a short 2.8 miles loop through the old growth forest there.

This is an easy outing and the pace and style will be relaxed.  Participants need to be able to successfully do the 900' of gain for the Snoquera Falls day hike and have prior experience with backpacking to register.  Hope you can join.

Meet at Camp Sherman TH at Noon. NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass at all THs

Getting There

From Enumclaw drive east on Hwy 410 (the Chinook Pass Highway) through the town of Greenwater. Continue driving until you pass the Dalles Campground. About 2.5 miles, turn left into the Camp Sheppard Trailhead, take an immediate right into the parking lot for the Snoquera Falls, Buck Creek and White River trails. This is just a few yards south of Camp Sheppard Boy Scout Camp entrance. A toilet is available in the parking lot.

Note:  We will caravan the very short distance to set up the shuttle for our short backpack trip.  The backpack portion of the trip will start at the southern TH at FS RD 7160.

We will need a minimum of two cars for the shuttle that can each hold 4 people.