WaterfallNear Me

Little Mashel Upper Falls

Pierce County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Pierce County, Washington
Access status
Pack Forest trail to a viewpoint of the upper falls; mixed land ownership
The walk
5.0 miles round trip for the Pack Forest route to all three falls (WTA)
Ground & access
Old forest roads, then a dirt trail that can be very muddy and steep. Footing near the falls is very slick, and fatal falls have occurred.
Washington Trails Association: Little Mashel Falls - Pack Forest
Little Mashel Upper Falls, WA
Little Mashel Upper Falls, WA
Photo creditPhoto: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This is the Upper Falls of the Little Mashel River, officially Tom Tom Falls, the highest of three waterfalls in the gorge near Eatonville. From the Pack Forest trailhead kiosk, walk uphill on 1000 Road North past the gate (closed to vehicles, open to hikers). At 1.9 miles go left at an unmarked Y onto Road 1070. At 2.1 miles a rock painted FALLS points left; follow the dirt trail around a pond and steeply down into the forest to a 3-way junction at 2.3 miles, shared with the Bud Blancher Trail. Go uphill 450 feet to another junction, where the unmarked left fork goes to the Middle Falls. Stay on the main trail and follow the sign right about 800 feet to a view of the Upper Falls, about 150 feet away. Return the same way. The land around the falls belongs to several owners and is not a park; the railroad above Tom Tom Falls is off limits.

Plan your visit

Pack Forest trailhead off Highway 7 near Eatonville, the 1000 Road and Road 1070 to the Falls trail, then past the Middle Falls junction to the Upper Falls (Tom Tom Falls) viewpoint

WTA gives 5.0 miles round trip with 500 feet of gain for the Pack Forest route that visits all three falls. It places the shared trail junction at 2.3 miles and the Upper Falls view about 800 feet past the Middle Falls junction.

Old forest roads, then a dirt trail that can be very muddy and steep. Footing near the falls is very slick, and fatal falls have occurred.

Where to start

Pack Forest entrance on Highway 7, 0.3 mile from Highway 161 south of Eatonville: a few spaces at the trailhead, more just through the gate on the left and near the administration buildings. WTA says both trailheads are open year-round; Waterfalls Northwest says Pack Forest headquarters parking is open only on weekdays and also lists the Bud Blancher Trailhead and Smallwood Park in Eatonville.

Timing & water

Open year-round. Spray is heaviest during peak runoff.

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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