Last night's rainstorm made me think of how hard it is to get motivated for a hike. But getting off the couch and opening the door is the hardest part.
Venturing out in the rain opens up a lot of additional hiking days around Enumclaw, and modern materials allow you to keep warm and dry regardless of the weather. Check the extensive selection at Pennies from Heaven and spend very little money preparing for your wet outing.
The skies looked good and the forecast bad recently, as my daughter, her golden retriever, and I headed up 410 to a few miles past Greenwater. At the Camp Sheppard turnoff on the left, we found the parking lot and trailhead for Snoquera Falls.
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If you are not sure about hiking in precipitation, try the .9 mile level nature loop through dense forest. A raised board walkway takes you over running water and marshes and past huge moss-covered virgin trees. Of course, the most authentic way to experience a rain forest is in the rain. You will likely also be the only person out.
Near the start of the trail by this loop you'll find a small amphitheater. The route to the falls begins here. Snoquerra Falls is a hidden gem, falling 400 feet, 3/4ths of that in a single vertical drop. The trail rises through more open forest, ending with three switchbacks, leading to the base of the falls, 1.5 miles from the parking lot. If the water isn't too high, you can cross the creek and return via a loop. The best time to see the falls will soon be over, since the rushing snowmelt drops to a trickle later in the summer.