Maidenhair Falls

Maidenhair Falls drops into a narrow gorge on the Wynoochee River, half a mile up a forest path that begins on a remote spur road north of Wynoochee Lake. The drive in is the longer commitment than the hike: forty-one miles of paved and gravel road from Highway 12 at Montesano, ending at a small roadside pullout where the trail sign is easy to miss while driving.

The path drops gently through second-growth Douglas fir and hemlock, mossy and damp year-round. Water channels through the gorge in narrow chutes, the limited light feeds maidenhair fern on the rock walls. Spring runoff makes the falls thunderous; late summer reduces the river to a green flow over polished stone.

Routes continue beyond the falls for hikers willing to ford the Wynoochee — high water in spring and after rain makes that crossing dangerous and most parties turn around at the gorge. The trail combines well with a Wynoochee Lake stop on the same long drive in.