Franklin Falls. Photo by Susan Elderkin.

Settlers heading for the Puget Sound lowlands had few route op-tions: they could float down the Columbia River (portaging around the falls near The Dalles), they could take a ship through the Pa-cific--either from California, or all the way around from the Atlantic-- or they could take the Snoqualmie Pass Wagon Road. This road was originally a trading path used by Native Americans, and later was a mule trail used by fur traders. Eventually, settlers and traders carried goods on wagons over this lowest of the Cascade passes. Today's interstate uses parts of the old wagon track, but in the Denny Creek area, where the interstate splits, the old wagon trace is still visible.

The trail is well marked as it follows the old wagon track along the South Fork Snoqualmie River. There's also a continuation of the Denny Creek Road as it follows the old highway route up to the pass. If the kids get footsore on the mile-long hike up to the falls, let them skip down the road on the way back. But the trail is the better option, as it climbs through the mossy forest, periodically crossing the old carved ruts of the wagon road--those steel-shod wooden wagon wheels cut deep.

The path reaches Franklin Falls at 1 mile, with the last 100 yards climbing steeply on rocky trail to the base of the falls. The tall falls pounds down a sheer rock face, providing a refreshing spray to cool hot hikers. Don't venture out into the falls water, however. It's coming down hard and frequently carries loose rocks down with the tumbling water.