Little Mashel Middle Falls

Pierce County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: 66 ft (20 m)
Location: Pierce County, Washington
Access status: Public trail from the Bud Blancher Trailhead; steep, slippery final section
The walk: 4.5 miles round trip for the Bud Blancher route, per WTA
Ground & access: Crushed-rock path, then a dirt trail with a moderate climb and often muddy steps near the falls. Footing at the falls is very slippery and people have died here. The cliffs at the top of the falls have no railings.

Washington Trails Association: Little Mashel Falls, Bud Blancher Trail

Little Mashel Middle Falls, WA
Photo credit
Photo: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This listing is the middle of the three Little Mashel River falls near Eatonville, officially named Little Mashel Falls: a 92-foot falls that spreads into a broad veil, with room to walk behind it. From the Bud Blancher Trailhead, walk the wide crushed-rock path downhill, cross the Mashel River bridge, and pass Smallwood Park. At a confusing road junction stay left on the path with the yellow bollard. At 1.4 miles cross the Little Mashel River bridge; about 350 feet farther a sign points left to the Little Mashel Falls trail. Bear right at the small Falls Trail sign and climb past the Lower Falls side trail to a 3-way junction. Turn sharply left and continue uphill about 450 feet to another junction; the unmarked trail to the left leads to Middle Falls. After 100 feet, left goes to the base and right goes to the top. Return the same way. Approaches from Alder Cutoff Road are no longer permitted.

Plan your visit

Bud Blancher Trailhead on Weyerhaeuser Road S in Eatonville, along the Bud Blancher Trail across the Mashel and Little Mashel rivers, then the Falls Trail uphill to the unmarked left turn for Middle Falls (Little Mashel Falls)

WTA lists 4.5 miles round trip for the Little Mashel Falls hike from the Bud Blancher Trailhead, which also visits the other falls. WTA says starting at Smallwood Park cuts the hike by one mile.

Crushed-rock path, then a dirt trail with a moderate climb and often muddy steps near the falls. Footing at the falls is very slippery and people have died here. The cliffs at the top of the falls have no railings.

Where to start

Bud Blancher Trailhead: from the 4-way stop on Highway 161 in Eatonville, head east on Center Street E, then turn right on Weyerhaeuser Road S; the trailhead is on the right. Smallwood Park at the end of 436th Street E is a shorter start.

Timing & water

WTA says both trailheads are open year-round. Flow is much higher in winter and spring than in late summer.

Before you go

WTA lists no parking pass or entry fee.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Washington

Waterfall location

Pierce County, Washington.

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