Last updated: April 2, 2024
Place
Staircase Big Cedar Tree
NPS/E. Goode
A small spur off of the main Staircase Rapids Loop trail leads to the impressive mass of the fallen Big Cedar Tree.
Length: 1,100 feet, .2 miles
Surface Type: Compacted gravel
Typical Trail Width: 6-8 feet
Typical Running Slope: Under 5%
Typical Cross Slope: Less than 2%, trail is crowned (higher in the middle than on the edges)
Accessible Parking: Van-accessible parking in parking area
Description: From the Staircase parking area, the trailhead is located directly across the bridge over the Skokomish River. From the trailhead sign, the 8-foot-wide compacted gravel trail dips down and back up in the first 140 feet in which 2 sections under 20 feet reach 8% grade. From here, the trail continues at grades under 5%. At 690 feet, there is an intersection with the Big Cedar Trail, turning left to reach the big cedar.
The trail narrows to six feet at the intersection, continuing for 410 feet to reach a fallen western red cedar tree 14 feet in diameter. There is also a smaller, but still impressively large living cedar at the end of the trail.
Full Accessibility Description
Length: 1,100 feet, .2 miles
Surface Type: Compacted gravel
Typical Trail Width: 6-8 feet
Typical Running Slope: Under 5%
Typical Cross Slope: Less than 2%, trail is crowned (higher in the middle than on the edges)
Accessible Parking: Van-accessible parking in parking area
Description: From the Staircase parking area, the trailhead is located directly across the bridge over the Skokomish River. From the trailhead sign, the 8-foot-wide compacted gravel trail dips down and back up in the first 140 feet in which 2 sections under 20 feet reach 8% grade. From here, the trail continues at grades under 5%. At 690 feet, there is an intersection with the Big Cedar Trail, turning left to reach the big cedar.
The trail narrows to six feet at the intersection, continuing for 410 feet to reach a fallen western red cedar tree 14 feet in diameter. There is also a smaller, but still impressively large living cedar at the end of the trail.