On the best April spring day in the last 5 years , Geezer Patrol was at its full compliment as we decided to stretch our old wheels for ten miles RT to the Springs. Having heard about this area for the past 40 years, it was time to make the hoof. FR 56 is a pothole mess again and it took us 50 minutes from North Bend to the Dingford Creek TH. Fortunately we were all alone on the road along the north side of the Snoqualmie Middle Fork as one of our party elected to dress like a sockeye in heat - some colors are just not appropriate for blending in with Pac NW environments.
All was forgiven as we sauntered along the easy road trail admiring the clear bluegreen waters and the views south toward Wright Mountain. At about 4.5 miles a road spur heads back down to the river crossing over a fine, relatively new foot bridge. A quick walk up the Goldmyer Trail (well marked) and one is greeted by Melissa at the caretakers cabin. $15 and a legal signoff and you're on your way up a .25 mile stairclimb thru big timber to the open air "cabana" and the famous Springs grotto and pool. The 30' long grotto pool was about 105F fed by a tiny inlet at about 110F. The lower pools stayed at about 100F. We soaked the old carcasses for about an hour thoroughly enjoying the respite before the 5 mile trudge back to the car. Burning Boot Creek was ripping past the Springs and with the warm sun, it was not an easy place to leave.

As we trundled back, we located the trail south to Snow Lake via the Rock Creek Trail which begins with a large log crossing a Middle Fork tributary. There is no trail signage at this location.

All you need to know about this hike is at http://www.goldmyer.org/. Go do it before the crowds come.

Well for being with my girlfriend for a year now we thought we would celebrate by making a trip out to goldmyer hot springs. Given my vehicles inability to make it all the way to the Dingford Creek T.H this time of year I thought we would try mountain biking as far in as we could before we ditched the bikes and hiked the rest of the way. Knowing very well there was a great possibility that biking in snow just would not work we went for it anyways. Needless to say there were some ups and downs in the trip however we did make it! What a wonderful soak it was to have a beautiful winter scenery while taking in all the warmth the hotsprings had to offer. I can promise that I will not return to Goldmyer on a bike again unless the road is snow free ha. Snow on the road did not get to bad until a few miles prior to the middle fork trailhead. At this point a sedan with decent ground clearance and chains can definitely make it here leaving just an 11 mile hike down the Middle Fork. At the hotsprings there was a few feet of snow but nice compact walking paths. Snow was melting pretty quickly while up there and pelting the tent from the tree tops above. Quite an adventure I must say but glad we did it.

My friend and I hiked to Goldmyer Hot Springs recently and enjoyed the hike immensely. However, there are a few details that for some reason have remained unclear in the existing reviews and on the description found on the (http://www.goldmyer.org) main website which I'd like to clear up for future hikers.

Some background. On the day we went it rained the entire 13 hours of our experience and the trail essentially becomes a puddle about 30% of the way (you can step around it easily though). We arrived at the Middle Fork Trailhead and began our hike at 11:30 am. We traveled steadily, but not hurriedly and stopped at length only once for about 15 minutes. We arrived to the Goldmyer Caretaker's cabin at about 5pm. It was dark. That's almost 6 hours for the mathematically challenged. Conclusion. Bring a head lamp and wear actual rain proof clothing... top and bottom!

First impression. From the Middlefork Trailhead (this is a 10 mile hike to the springs) the trail is quite well maintained and the surrounding forest is absolutely beautiful. As you meander within earshot, and usually site, of Middle Fork creek you experience a varying display of rock cliffs, moss covered deciduous, and old growth conifers that are a real delight. After a mile or so you start to encounter creeks and streams that cross the trail. You can probably keep your shoes dry (if it's not raining) for the first few crossings, but that will change. After passing the sign for the Dingford trail turnoff at about mile 6 (seat of the pants est) you go another couple miles then cross a bridge to the North side of the creek. You then start to climb a bit and soon encounter a fork in the trail. There is no signage. Both trails appear to have equal use although one (to the right) appears to be a little older perhaps. Take the one to the right. I don't know where the one to the left goes. My estimate is that you've got about two miles left. The most noteworthy part of this portion of the trail is there are two creek crossings that are a bit challenging. At least with the rainfall that we had, there was no way to cross without getting wet ankle high on the first one (plus pretty exciting wet log balancing... or get much wetter), and shin to knee deep on the second crossing. On the second crossing you can locate the trail on the far side of the creek by the yellow ribbon in the tree. The trail itself is pretty much part of the creek for the first 5 meters, but don't despair! you're about 3/4 mile or so from a hot soak :)

When you cross the creek for the last time (dry crossing via large log with traction cutouts), you see the sign for private property/Golmyer. A few hundred meters on, there it is! cute little Grizzly Adams-type cabin with a big sign and some cool artifacts strewn about the front. Knock on the door and receive your warm welcome and orientation. We were walkups i.e.. no reservations because we just got the idea a few days before and there was just no way to reserve. So we chanced it, and got in only because there were a bunch of no shows do to the weather. We paid our $30 and scurried the last 1/4 mile up to the springs.

The springs are ridiculously cool. There's a cave that's got about 2 1/2'-3' of water by about 7' wide that is the source of the springs I presume... and it's quite warm. Just about as warm as you can stand, but it's wonderful. There's a bench at the very back and sitting on it is like being in a sauna. At the same time you're looking at the dimly lit (at night) entrance to the cave and hearing the roar of the (very) nearby creek/falls. There are two other pools that get cooler in stages. The second is big enough for two people and they'll be kind of stepped over if others need to get to/from the cave. It's nice and hot still but significantly cooler than the cave water. Then there's the bottom level pool which, is still only big enough for two, unless it's that kind of friendship. BTW my friend and I were the only ones wearing shorts/bikini. Everyone else was buff, so be aware that you'll likely be exposed to that.

The covered area nearby has hooks for clothes and benches, but no walls, so if you're changing... again, prepare to do some sharing.

So finally, the part that I think I'm going to be making a bit more clear than was previously the case. A few details on the directions. So, you take exit 34 and then take the next left on 468. Go until you stop at (for last minute supplies), or pass the two gas stations/convenience stores. One on each side of the road. Keep going, same direction, same road for about a half mile until you see the Middle Fork Road sign on your right. There is no reference to Snowqualmie or FS 56 or anything else. Just Middle Fork. Turn right and drive until you see the sign for the Middle Fork Trailhead... also on your right. The vast majority of the Middle Fork road is strewn with potholes so be prepared to take it gingerly unless you want to leave the u-joints, control arms, shocks and various other bits of your car behind because some of them are quite deep. The above directions will get you to the trail that follows the river and it's 10 miles.

The other way to get to the springs is by passing the sign for the Middle Fork Trailhead, driving another 1/2 mile... across a bridge, and then take a right at an open gate signed for Dingford Creek. Drive another 5 miles to a CLOSED gate and park. Walk on a sort of road/wide trail with creeks and huge puddles for the final 5 miles to the springs. Voila. Only a 5 mile round trip back to your car.

Note that there is no way to walk the trail and then take the 5 mile option back... unless you do some car ferrying with two cars? By the directions that I interpreted prior to our trip this was unclear, so after our dreamy awesome soak until 9 pm we had to put our soaking wet clothes back on, fire up the headlamps, and walk 10.5 miles down the road back to the parking at the Middle Fork lot. We had fun though and returned home in Ballard at a crisp 2:00 am wet, sore, and smiling : )

This doesn't have to be a day hike you can reserve a campsite at the Goldmeyer Hot springs. Wish that I could have spent some extra time up there to explore because the Hot springs are RAD! The springs come out of this cave and fountain into a total of three pools. The cave goes back about 25 feet and there is a nice little bench back there to just hang out. Super relaxing and cleansing. There is a cabana on site to store your belongings, a good place to snack and change. Just make sure you call ahead because this is by reservation and they only allow a certain number of visitors a day. So excited to visit again and spend more time exploring the area.