Happy Creek Nature Trail

Hikers can choose from an easy loop partially along Happy Creek, or a longer hike to Happy Creek Falls, site of an old sawmill that supported the mining in the late 1800's.

At the trailhead a very informative sign describes the history of the area and has a map of the nature trail.
The first part of the trail is an ADA compliant loop through the old growth forest of 0.3 miles mostly on boardwalk. The right branch (south) is all on boardwalk and overlooks Happy Creek. Halfway around the loop is the junction with the trail to Happy Creek Falls. The return part of the loop has more gravel trail as it wanders around the old trees. The entire loop is very shaded, even on a sunny day. This is a good walk for young children.

Even with a shallow gradient, the boardwalk can be pretty slick when wet, snowy or icy.

From the nature trail, the trail to the falls is of a completely different character. The initial section climbs away from Happy Creek on a duff tread into a more open forest and a peek-a-boo view of Ross Lake and Jack Mountain. The trail traverses about 100 feet above State Route 20, so the road noise is quite evident. 

At 0.4 miles, a boot trail comes in from a pullout on SR 20. At 0.9 miles, the trail starts climbing steeply through the moss covered rock outcrops. The trail becomes quite rocky, even small streambeds in places. After leveling off and re-entering the old forest, the trail nears Happy Creek again. A short climb along the creek passes some of the antique saw mill equipment, before reaching the base of the falls at 1.3 miles.

The falls are a series of short steps down a steep gully. In spring and late fall, the falls are fairly full. In late summer, they are a more of a trickle between the rocks.