Trip Report
Taylor River - Otter and Big Creek Falls
My friends and I decided to cancel our South Coast Wilderness backpacking trip due to the rainy forecast and look for day hikes to fill our time. My friends hadn't been to Otter Falls before so it was fun to share a new trail with them.
Diann Sheldon
- Thu, May 15, 2025
- Taylor River
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road rough but passable
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Once your travel across Tylor River, there are many, many potholes. They are passable for most vehicles I would say. Some are definitely deeper than others. You definitely are playing a game of dodge the worst!!
The forecast called for rain later in the day and temps were perfect for hiking (upper 40's) We had a leisurely later start and arrived at the TH just after 1pm. The vault toilet was very clean with lots of available tp :)
The trail is an old road that has been reclaimed by nature. Sometimes it is obvious you are hiking on al old road and others it is a lovely soft trail. We had several river crossings that were doable with some rock hoping. Using trekking poles were a big help. The second growth forest is lovely with sooooo much green right now! The moss is especially vibrant especially with the new rainfall.
We hiked past the trail up to Otter Falls and continued on to enjoy the roaring Big Creek Falls at the old bridge. My friends were truly impressed! We stopped for a snack and then ventured back to the Otter Falls trail. A trail crew is cutting in a brand new trail that will be a great addition. We followed the social trails up to the break before you go down to the falls. The trail is almost done with new steps down to Lipsy Lake and the waterfall view. Watch your step as the new step logs are slippy so stay on the fresh soil.
Otter Falls never disappoints especially this time of year with some extra flow! Our hike back was fun with great conversation and a light rainfall beginning. The canopy shielded us from most of the raindrops. Our total hiking time with stops was 5 hours for the 10 mile hike out and back.