The trail leaves the Cascade Creek Cabin through spruce and hemlock forest, then follows the shoreline to the tidewater trailhead about 0.25 mile from the cabin. From the beach, the trail follows Cascade Creek for 0.25 mile to the lower falls. This part of the trail is boardwalk and provides excellent views of the lower falls. The trail continues up Cascade Creek from the lower falls, but becomes steeper and more difficult. A bridge spans the creek about 0.25 mile from the lower falls and the trail continues upward along the opposite side of the creek. The trail becomes still more challenging after the bridge as it ascends rapidly and is minimally developed.

About 2.5 miles from the cabin trailhead you will reach a junction in the trail. The spur trail to the right goes to the lower (west) end of Falls Lake. You can row the boat provided to the upper (east) end of the lake where another spur trail leads to the Falls Lake Shelter and back to the Cascade Creek Trail.

From the 2.5-mile junction, the main trail continues around Falls Lake to a high muskeg with spectacular views of Petersburg and Frederick Sound. This section of the trail is minimally developed and very challenging. About 0.5 mile from the first junction is the second Falls Lake junction. The spur to the right leads 0.25 mile to the Falls Lake Shelter, then another 0.25 mile to Falls Lake. The main trail continues to the left of the junction. It crosses a small lake providing views of cliffs and waterfalls, then follows Cascade Creek for 1 mile to the trailhead at Swan Lake.

This popular trail follows Cascade Creek upstream through cathedral-like timber offering beautiful views of the creek as it falls through the canyon and excellent rainbow trout fishing at Falls Lake and Swan Lake.