The Skookum Flats trail follows the White River for 5 miles. It's realitively flat and not too high in elevation, so usually a good trail for the winter. There are a few exceptions to that assumption. In the past few years this river has risen so high, from heavy rain and/or snowmelt, that much of the trail gets rearrranged drastically. The massive amounts of water wash away large sections of the river bank, releasing giant trees that inturn cause havic as they float downstream, creating log jams and wiping out things like bridges. This suspension bridge was washed away in Dec. 2006 when Mt. Rainier Nat'l Park received 18 inches of rain in 36 hours. Since then we have had 3 more higher-than-normal heavy water flows on this river. Global warming??? Thanks so much for stopping by!!!!!