Lower Little Mashel Falls

While there are multiple ways to reach the waterfalls of the Little Mashel River, all routes should utilize the Bud Blancher Trail, as other approaches are either no longer sanctioned or may be temporarily closed due to logging operations. Public parking can be found at the Bud Blancher Trailhead or Smallwood Park in Eatonville, or at the Pack Forest Headquarters off Highway 7 (only open on weekdays). Accessing the falls from Alder Cutoff Road is no longer permitted by the town of Eatonville. From the Bud Blancher Trailhead, follow the trail for about 1.3 miles to where it crosses the Little Mashel River (the second river crossed), then bear left onto the Falls Trail shortly after. The Falls Trail climbs uphill and after a third of a mile nears the falls. Take the first fork to the left to reach this waterfall, which is encountered after descending down a series of often muddy steps for another tenth of a mile.The lowermost of the trifecta of waterfalls within the gorge of the Little Mashel River has perhaps the most character of the three falls, but is also arguably the least attractive of the group. The falls drop 39 feet as the river exits from a narrow trough in the gorge, and spills down a chunky ledge in several separate rivulets - though most of the water follows one primary channel. During periods of higher flow, the secondary channels of the falls will appear more significant, but in the summer and autumn months the falls will constrict to a very narrow breadth. Interestingly, this waterfall appears to have shifted its appearance considerably in the last decade or so. When we first surveyed it in the late 90's and early 00's, the falls had two distinct main channels; the left plunging a sheer 25 feet or so, then cascading another 25 feet, and the right with roughly equal flow where the majority of the river currently flows. Comparing the photographs we have on file between then and now seems to suggest that there used to be a large log jam in the trough above the falls which directed part of the river over the cliff at a much higher level than it currently resides. As the log jam is no longer there, the former left segment of the falls has disappeared (though maybe it will re-appear during flood conditions). The waterfalls along the Little Mashel River are a popular spot for locals in the summer months. Numerous swimming holes provide enticing opportunities to cool off from the heat, but as is common at such places, this has lead to a lot of trash being left around the area. Please be considerate if you visit and be sure to pack out everything you pack in.Though we've been able to find references to colloquial names for the upper and middle falls on the Little Mashel River, we have had no luck finding any such references to this waterfall. We would be quite surprised if there was never a name applied to this waterfall, but until we can prove that there was, we'll continue to refer to it simply as Lower Little Mashel Falls.