Marymere Falls Trail

This is one of those trails that delivers way more than its modest stats suggest. You'll start from the Storm King Ranger Station near Lake Crescent, crossing a footbridge before ducking into a cathedral of old-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar — some of these trees were already ancient when Columbus showed up. The path is well-maintained and mostly flat as it winds along Falls Creek, with just a gentle uphill push at the end over some root-laced switchbacks. The payoff is Marymere Falls, a 90-foot cascade that plunges into a mossy amphitheater of ferns and rock. After rain, it thunders; in late summer, it's a delicate silver ribbon. The whole thing feels like walking through a Tolkien set. Perfect for families with younger kids, anyone short on time, or hikers who want a guaranteed reward without earning it the hard way.