Staircase Rapids at Lake Cushman

Staircase Rapids is a beautiful 2.1 mile loop trail following the North Fork of the Skokomish River in Washington.  We get there by following the shore of Lake Cushman, a 4,015 acre (1625 hectare) reservoir providing power to the city of Tacoma from its dam.  The Staircase  is named from a cedar staircase built by Lt. O'Neil and his group of soldiers and scientists who in 1890 surveyed the watersheds of nine rivers by cutting a 5-foot wide trail across 93 miles of wilderness, including building the Staircase across a rock bluff that was a major obstacle.  The Staircase itself is long gone, but the name for the path remains.

The Staircase

Along the River

To the trail

Following the trail

First view of the rapids

Continuing along the trail

More rapids

Eventually, we reach a bridge over the rapids and get a few pictures of the flowing water.

Bridge

Rapids both ways

We follow the trail back and then wind along the shore of Lake Cushman back to civilization.

Along the trail back

Lake Cushman

People are starting to gather on the shore of the lake for evening/sunset swims, paddles, and parties.  We leave them to it and continue on our way home.