Taylor River - Big Creek and Otter Falls

ROAD: The Garfield Ledges parking area is in horrendous condition, full of potholes filled to varying degrees with water and difficult to tell how deep the puddles are in places. This is my first time all year worrying about whether my Mazda CX-5 would scrape going in or out. If you have low clearance, consider parking just over the bridge (south end) and hoofing it past Garfield Ledges OR take your time (5-10 mph) so you don't harm your car.

Carpooling is highly recommended so fewer cars go through here until "the powers that be" can fix this area. The bridge is pretty much one-way at a time so be patient if you go on a weekend. We were fortunate this Friday morning, only a few cars coming in as I left and I was fine to wait until they cleared the bridge.

The Big Creek / Otter Falls trail is in tremendous condition with only two "holes" patched with rocks, and two downed trees along the 4.75 mile stretch to Big Creek Falls. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for this trail, whereas just down the road, Oxbow Loop and Garfield Ledges both require a Discover Pass. I guess they're on different state land parcels.

LATRINE: stocked with TP and still open for the winter (whereas the Garfield Ledges latrine is closed for the winter).

TRAIL: There is water everywhere, now - on September 30 when I was last here all the creeks were completely dry. Fortunately despite all the recent rain, they're all quite passable, just be prepared to walk across some wet rocks. Use poles if you're nervous about footing. Avoid the wood/sticks, they're waterlogged and slick. A few places on the trail are muddy but overall, this trail is wonderful for shedding rain. Be prepared to use caution on bridges if it dips below freezing.