Day Hike - Cherry Creek Falls

This is a mentored hike for Becky Robbins.

Gaia GPS route link.

This trip is both for the movement inherent in hiking as well as the enjoyment of the nature we are immersing ourselves in. Please come on this hike if you love to gaze at the beauty around you and not speed past it. I encourage pausing and showing each other delightful sights and photos (not every 10 feet, but we do stop frequently). If speed hiking is your game, you won't love this hike.

PACE and BREAKS:

We will travel at a speed slow enough to enjoy what is around us and "fast" enough to keep us moving. Please dress accordingly so you'll be comfortable when we stop here and there. 1.0-1.75 is a good range for this hike and these activities.

We will stop to take a gander at the old cool car being taken over by plants in the first 1/4 of the hike. We will take care when at creek crossings and often pause for a few minutes there. We will break for a leisurely lunch about 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours in when we stop at the falls and often people like to explore and take photos. We will be here for 15-30 minutes approximately, depending on group preferences. Again, please dress accordingly so you are comfortable when we stop moving.

THE TRAIL:

This trail is pretty mellow as far as elevation gain, as it is gradual. --> If it is wet around the time we go, there will definitely be standing water to walk through, and creeks may be higher. The main creek crossing is accessed by climbing onto (a few feet or so) and walking across a large log.<-- 
Trip reports confirm that the guide rope is still there to help balance on the log, but most of the times I have gone there were just tree sprigs to help balance. Please consider your balance and ability to scoot or climb up on the log for this scenario and let the leader(s) and other participants know if you'd like help across. Poles are your friend! So are waterproof boots. We will take our sweet time for safety reasons at this crossing, and any others that require care. 

Although this is an out-and-back hike, there are two paths that run parallel. I have found the path along the creek to be quite nice and have better light in the afternoon in winter as it's more open than the one we will take to the falls.

Finally, for this hike, the upper and lower falls are not very far apart, and when we stop for lunch, we will have time to explore. I will show everyone the upper area on the way in and then we can mill around. Definitely bring something to sit on, it is usually wet.

STEWARDSHIP:

I like to pick up trash on the hikes I go on, it's my way of thanking the land for the experience and leaving things better than I found them. If you would like to bring a little trash bag and do the same, I welcome it! You are not required to, of course!

We will all park at Duvall Park & Ride in the town of Duvall by 10:45 am and take two cars if possible (due to limited parking/roadside only) to the trailhead. We will leave as close to 10:45 as we can and get to the trailhead and be ready to hike by 11:00 am.  (Please read all the way to the bottom!)

You can find me in a brown Subaru Outback/wagon at the Duvall Park & Ride. My vehicle has room for 3 more. I am leaving from Kirkland/Juanita and heading down 522 in case there is a convenient carpool buddy to reduce cars and increase connection! 

There is a port a potty now at the trailhead. 

No parking passes are required at this trailhead.

Cafe/Sandwich Option (highly recommended):

If you need to grab a snack/want a beverage before we go or just chat a bit, arrive early (10:15/10:30) and pop into Rustic Cabin Coffee where they have delicious breakfast items and drinks (I often grab a sandwich here for my mid-hike lunch break). They also have a lovely restroom. You walk South from the Park & Ride across the crosswalk (same side of street) and past the gas station to get to the cafe (west/right side of street). There are tables we can sit at while we wait and then walk back to the Park & Ride to organize into the cars.