Start time: 10:25 AM. Temperature at start point: 62F, Sunny. Temperature at finish point: 83F and sunny. Smoke in the air from nearby wildfires, poor air quality. No cell service anywhere along the route.
Having run this route in June in a group, I was eager to go back to run it solo. Even though mid-October, it turned out to be an unseasonably warm, sunny, and smoky Fall day in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Even so, the trail is shaded, and there is plenty of running water available for drinking. I carried water, food, electrolytes, and a few essentials on my person.
This scenic trail has eight beautiful waterfalls along the way, and for most of the route, the trail is parallel and close to the upper Lewis River, ensuring excellent views and the sounds of waterfalls. There were very few hikers, and most were near the Miller Falls / Curly Creek trailhead. Even though a net downhill route, the trail has some steep and frequent uphills.