Hiking Olympic National Park
By Erik Molvar

Staircase Rapids Trail

This popular footpath follows the south bank of the Skokomish River's North 
Fork, passing foaming Whitewater and deep pools on the river. A footbridge spans 
the river at mile 1.0, linking it to the North Fork Skokomish trail for a 
possible loop trip. The hike begins near the Staircase Ranger Station, just 
across the bridge at the edge of an open meadow. The well-beaten trail parallels 
the river as it moves upward through the conifers and vine maples. Early in the 
hike, a spur path accesses a western red cedar that is over 14 feet in diameter. 
The main trail soon seeks out the riverbank, and makes periodic visits to the 
water for pleasant views of the rushing water and crystalline pools. After 0.6 
mile, a spur path accesses a hole known locally as "Red Reef Pool". Here, the 
river has cut a channel through a band of limestone that is tinted red with 
oxidized iron. The water plunges over the sill, and then roils in the aquamarine 
depths of the pool. A little farther on, a second spur descends to "Dolly Varden 
Pool", its depths punctuated by enormous boulders. The main trail continues 
upstream beside Staircase Rapids to reach a footbridge. The old trail upriver to 
Four Stream has been abandoned farther upstream; cross the bridge to return to 
Staircase Ranger Station via the North Fork Skokomish trail, a broad avenue 
through the enormous old-growth timber.