Little Mashal Falls
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Falls elevation: 900 feet
Hiking Distance: 2 miles one-way
Elevation Gain: 150 feet
Access: Any vehicle
There are several ways to get to Little Mashal Falls but since I loving hiking so much, I will suggest starting at the Bud Blancher Trailhead. This hike gives you the experience of essentially walking from the town atmosphere of Eatonville, across two rivers, past homes and into a wild forested canyon. This trip is one of the best low elevation hikes in the south Puget Sound if snow is blanketing everything else. It is also a Instagram hike, so be prepared for lots of people there for a photo opportunity.
Access:
From the 4-way stoplight in Eatonville, go east on the Alder Cutoff Road. Past the gas station and at the top of the hill, turn right onto Weyerhaeuser Road. You will be at the trailhead within feet.
Route:
The Bud Blancher Trail is a hard surface trail that is pretty much road like but designated for hikers, bikers and horses. Follow the trail down and across the Mashal River. Next the trail passes Smallwood Park (an alternate start point to save a bit of walking). Continue past houses and tree farms until crossing the Little Mashal River. Once over the river, a sign on the left points to Little Mashal Falls. Now you are on traditional trails. Follow the trail a short distance to a split. Left is the river, right points to the falls. It is too confusing to explain all the trails around the falls, just be aware that there are a lower, a middle and an upper falls. Each have their own trails from the main trail. Sticking to the main trail will take you to the road system in Pack Forest (another alternative starting point). Use the maps below to navigate or just go for it without a map.
On the Bud Blancher Trail
Bridge crossing for the Mashal River
Bridge crossing for the Little Mashal River
Bud Blancher Trail
Trail to Little Mashal Falls
Little Mashal Falls (Lower Falls)
Little Mashal Falls (Middle Falls)
Little Mashal Falls (Lower Falls)
Little Mashal Falls (Upper Falls)
Little Mashal Falls (Middle Falls at the top viewing area)
Bud Blancher Trail
Little Mashal Falls (Upper Falls)
A stop at Smallwood Park
Yellow: The route from the Bud Blancher Trailhead
Rough idea of the trail sections around the waterfalls. Blue is the river. Trails and roads in black.
Little Mashal Falls Trail