Shady Lane Trail

Shady Lane is a 0.84-mile one-way trail from the bridge by Staircase to Four Stream Road, following the North Fork Skokomish before winding through old-growth cedars. It is short, but the rocky opening is steep and the trail ends at a road rather than looping back. Without a pickup at the far end, A useful turnaround is the river spur about 0.70 mile in for a 1.4-mile round trip; walking all the way to Four Stream Road and back makes about 1.68 miles. Allow roughly 35–45 minutes each way, longer if you stop often.

Cross the bridge from Staircase parking and look for the Shady Lane sign at its far end. The first 310 feet are compacted gravel; the tread then turns rocky. Two steps lead to a 40-foot bridge only two feet wide, followed by a second, 25-foot bridge. Between them, the trail hugs a steep river slope marked by past slides, with roots, bedrock, steps and short grades as steep as 20–40%. Some stretches are exposed above a 15-foot drop toward the river, so this is a poor fit if narrow footing or unprotected edges are uncomfortable.

After roughly 1,050 feet, the path enters forest and threads among large old-growth cedars. Short pitches and roots interrupt long, gentler sections. At about 3,710 feet, an informal spur drops toward the river. That junction is the sensible turnaround for most hikers returning to Staircase; beyond it, the trail climbs to Four Stream Road, including a short 30–35% pitch near the end.

Just beyond the first narrow bridge, a short spur reaches an old mine shaft. Its history is not documented in the sources, but it is a distinctive detail on an otherwise quiet forest connector.

Park in the Staircase area by the ranger station, cross the North Fork Skokomish bridge, and start at the sign on the far side. Shady Lane is a point-to-point route, so arrange a ride before relying on Four Stream Road as an exit; otherwise retrace your steps. Restroom and picnic facilities are at the developed Staircase area, not along the trail. Pets are not allowed on Shady Lane.