Mima Falls

"There is no time to be bored in a world as beautiful as this."

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We have now done Mima Falls twice, in two very different seasons, and I have to be honest: I think I prefer it in the snow!

Our first excursion was in March of 2020- right as the Coronvirus epidemic was really gearing up- and the forecast was calling for cloudy and a chance of rain. It had been months since we had been out hiking (snow, holidays, life) so we shrugged our shoulders, bundled up and headed out. It is important to note that both times we have gone, it has been to the Mima Falls East Trailhead, not the campgrounds, nor the West trail.

Mima Falls is a little over an hour drive from us, but we always take the back roads, so it’s a beautiful scenic ride the whole way. I highly recommend avoiding I-5 to get there, if you can. I know that’s not possible for everyone, but I thought I’d throw it out there for those that live more to the East, like me. Our drive takes us through quaint little towns like Rainier and Tenino and/or Millersylvania State Park (we have gone both routes now) and when you start to see signs for Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve, you’ll know you’re almost there. We haven’t investigated this Preserve, at all, so I can’t tell you anything about it, but the road to Mima Falls East Trailhead takes you right through what is clearly the Mima Mounds. And there are a lot of them. One of these days we’ll have to check it out.

When we arrived (early, sometime between 7 and 8 a.m., as always) the extremely large, dirt parking lot was practically empty, minus the trailer which was in the process of loading-or unloading, we weren’t clear- what looked like an entire herd of goats! To say there was some chaos and pandemonium would be putting it mildly, but we were grateful to see a building with two vault toilets, and a well-marked trailhead (bulletin board with notices, to include the admonishment-in case you had missed the signs- requiring a Discover Pass). Dogs are allowed on this trail, leash required, but we didn’t have any on that visit.

Our second visit to Mima Falls occurred just last week, on a semi-cloudy August Saturday. Forecast had called for beautiful blue skies, but when we arrived at 9 a.m. there wasn’t a lot of sun to be seen, still. The plan was to meet up with my daughter and her works hiking club (total plug for Shelton Anytime Fitness here, and no, they aren’t paying me to say that) which consisted of both employees and members. Yet again, even though it was a little later than we usually start, the parking lot was mostly empty, with maybe 10-15 cars; it really is one of the largest parking lots we’ve seen for a hike, in part because horses are allowed on the trail, and it is built to allow horse trailers to maneuver easily in and out of the lot.

Word of warning here: if you bring your dogs, please make sure you can control them around horses. While we did not meet any on the way up to the falls, there was plenty of evidence that horses use the trail a lot, and we did meet a group of about 5 horse and riders on our way back down. The trail vacillates between narrow and medium (one to sometimes 3 across) and if you cannot control your dog (no lunging or sudden, rabid barking which might startle a horse) when a horse and rider need to get by you, this can make for a very dangerous situation. Please make sure that everyone is able to safely enjoy the trail.

This time the hike was full of greenery, and even a couple of flowers were still bravely waving their little heads around; it was a beautiful, if a little dusty, hike. The trees are beautiful, moss-hung and old. I lost count of the number of “two-fers” as I called them- giant tree trunks that split into two humongous trees- but they were everywhere, and the size of the trunks themselves were awe-inspiring. I’m afraid I was too busy ohhing and ahhing over them, and forgot to take a picture, but you’ll know what I’m talking about as soon as you see them. The water level once we got to the falls was far less impressive, I must admit, but the climb down to check it out was the same.

There are actually three spots where you can see the water once you get to the falls. From the bridge that goes over the stream, which feeds Mima Falls, you can walk down the side of the bridge and let the pups drink and cool off for a moment. From the picnic table there are two more off-shoots; one that leads you to the top of the falls and is a much more precarious up and down scramble, but do-able if you really want it, and one that is a more gradual descent (but still a climb) closer to the bottom of the falls. This is where you’ll get your best picture of the falls itself, even when it’s been such a hot summer that the water flow is a little less thrilling.

After a yummy lunch at the picnic tables, and much needed rest for both dogs and humans, we packed up and headed back to our cars.

Two things that need mentioning:

1.) This is 100% a “pack it in/pack it out” trail. NO GARBAGE CANS ANYWHERE. Including the restrooms. So please be prepared to haul ALL your garbage back with you.

2.) This was not needed in early March, but it was definitely needed in August- BUG SPRAY. I know not everyone suffers from bug bites to the extent that I, and most of the women in my family, do, but I have been back from this hike for a week now and I am STILL itching the bites I got on this trail. I took my sweater off (as the day, and my body, warmed up) and within 30 seconds the first mosquito was on my arm. It took me another 20 minutes to stop and spray myself down and that was 20 minutes too long, judging by the plethora of bites on my arms and legs. So, if you’re anything like me, just spray yourself down at the trail head and save yourself at least a few nips! It also bears noting that my husband, as he rubbed benadryl on my unreachable bites, smugly declared “I don’t have a single bite.” So, as always, prepare according to your body. (And yes, insert allll the eye rolls here!)

All in all, I do believe I would recommend hiking this trail in the early spring, especially when there is a light dusting of snow. March was about perfect, in my opinion (there hadn’t been a ton of rain, so the trail wasn’t too muddy, either) but I am of the opinion that snow makes everything just a little more magical, and the water flow was definitely far more splendid, even if we did have to wear an extra 10 pounds of clothing.

Happy Hiking!