Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Dingford Creek-Hester Lake
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Region,
by Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. The Dingford Creek Trail climbs from the banks of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, heading north up the creek valley. The forest path immediately starts a sweat-popping climb, with a long series of switchbacks over the first mile. At the top of the last switchback, the trail ducks into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and the grade levels out a bit. The surrounding forest, young second-growth near the trailhead, slowly returns to native old-growth status as the trail penetrates deeper into the wilderness. At 3.5 miles the trail--and the creek--split. To the left the trail continues due north another 2.5 miles to Myrtle Lake, while the right fork heads due south to Hester Lake in just 2 miles. Both lakes are enjoyable and both hold pan-sized trout. Hester, however, offers somewhat better views, with the jagged peak of Mount Price looming above it. The final couple of miles to Hester are rough and poorly maintained, making the final walk into the lake basin all the more rewarding. Stop and rest along the shores of the blue water lake, enjoying views of Mount Price and Big Snow Mountain.
Driving Directions:
From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 34 (Edgewick Road). Turn left (north) onto 468th Street and follow it to the junction with the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road (Forest Road 56). Turn right and continue up the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road for 12.5 miles to the junction with Taylor River Road. Pass that junction to continue east on Forest Road 5620 about 5 miles to the Dingford Creek trailhead. Recent Trip Reports
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Overnight
Features:
Ripe berries
Issues:
Blowdowns | Clogged drainage | Overgrown | Mudholes | Washouts | Water on trail | Bugs
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As previous reports note, the Middle Fork road was indeed in pretty good shape, as was 5620. 5620 has...
As previous reports note, the Middle Fork road was indeed in pretty good shape, as was 5620. 5620 has actually been cleared further sometime in the last couple months, as it was in MUCH better shape than a previous trip to the Dingford Creek trailhead earlier this summer. In particular, there were several gravel areas that have been cleared well back.
The trailhead was pretty full, but as usual I think most folks were headed to Goldmeyer Hotsprings. I hit the trail late, around 4:30, and only saw 6 other day hikers coming down, 4 of whom were coming down from Myrtle, 2 of them at the TH already. Hester was a bit over 5 and a half miles, and I made it to the lake in about 3 hours, or maybe just over. (Made it down from the lake the next morning in about 2 hours and 45 minutes). The Dingford Creek trail (#1005) is fairly steep, with a long set of switchbacks that climbs around 1200 feet over the first mile or so. This bit of the trail is in pretty good condition, though there are definitely some root steps, and it's a little rocky in parts. This section is also completely dry. At just about a mile in, there's a creek crossing with a rock waterfall that was low enough that the dogs could swim in the pool at it's base easily. The trail also levels off after that until the junction with the Hester Lake Trail (only about five or six hundred feet of elevation over a couple miles). This section of the trail is mostly okay, but again lots of roots, some easy creek crossings, and some muddy spots. At the trail junction, the sign is on the left, and points to the right, where the Hester Lake trail heads off. But as noted previously, there is an ENORMOUS downed tree that runs right on top of the trail for about a hundred feet. Both dogs and I were able to walk the length of the log, and find the trail at the other end, but I was definitely unsure about it until I got to the end of the log. The Hester Lake Trail (#1005.1) is definitely in need of help. I was able to make it the whole way without the need of either GPS, map, or compass (though I did have a GPS on hand), but this is definitely a tough trail. Lots of exposed roots, some sections where the trail is nothing BUT exposed roots; lots of rocky trail; lots of mudholes, some 75 feet long or more; several washouts; downed trees big and small; and a couple of tricky creek crossings. Two places in particular to be aware of (both on the Hester Lake Trail #1005.1): 1. there's a section where the trail is climbing relatively steeply, and it's rocky and rooty, and you hit a washout where the trail appears to go down and to the right, then leveling off through the brush. But the trail ACTUALLY goes up and to the left, past the washout. The trail to the left looks deceptively like part of the washout, but the trail is evident as soon as you round the corner. 2. There's a large creek bed crossing (though the water was fairly low when I went through) where the trail starts up along the bank, and there's some old boards on the trail from what was once a walkway. The trail appears to go past the boards and continue up the bank (It looked like enough people had done this that the trail actually DOES go a little further up, but then it disappears). The actual trail crosses at where the boards are washed out, and picks up on the other side of the creek. It's hard to see the trail from the washout, but I marked the trail with a large cairn, and which should at least last through the rest of the season. Throughout the length of the trail, there's a lot of evidence of old trail maintenance: walkways, bridges, trail drainage. But it's virtually ALL washed out or eroded away, and it could definitely use some WTA love, as previously mentioned. :) And in the end, the lake is well worth it. There are several campsites, two of them EXCELLENT, and there were ripe blueberries most of the way after the junction, AND at the lake. The lake is clear and blue, WITH views around the lake, and the bugs were not nearly as bad as they could have been. It would definitely be a great spot to spend a full day to explore, and maybe scramble up to Little Hester Lake. All in all a great spot. As a side note: after the initial dry section, my dogs had more fun than words can describe. You'll have a very muddy, very happy dog. :-)
Dingford Creek-Hester Lake
— Jul 27, 2011
— Dino's Adventure's
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Overgrown | Mudholes | Washouts | Water on trail | Snow on trail | Bugs
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Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road (Forest Road 56) is in great shape. One of the best forest roads I have...
Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road (Forest Road 56) is in great shape. One of the best forest roads I have ever driven on. Even forest road 5620 is in good shape.
I started at the trailhead at 7:30 am and anticipated it would take me 3 hours to get to the lake. Unfortunately, the trail has many blowdowns, and creek crossings and I did not get to the lake until 12:45 pm. It is about 5.25 miles to the lake according to my GPS. This is a beautiful hike that could use some love from the WTA. The trail climbs to the junction of Myrtle and Hester Lakes. It is not a steep climb but keeps you going up most of the way to the junction. There are 3 to 4 blowouts as you make your way up to the junction. Also, a few easy to cross creek crossings. A few spots are also overgrown. The turn to Hester lake is to the right. You see the sign pointing in the direction to the trail. At first, all I saw was a huge blowdown. I really had to look hard to find the trail on the other side. Also, I really had to give my dog the encouragement to continue thru the blowdown. Once past the blowdown, the trail is in good shape for a little while. Then there are lots of creek crossings, overgrown, and blowdowns. Be prepared to get wet and some route finding. A GPS and map are a must on this trail. I fell into the creek during one of these crossings trying to stay dry. After that, it was a lot easier. I was already soaked and just didn't worry about it anymore. There is also a muddy bog you must navigate and find the trail on the other side. There is not much elevation gain after the junction until you get near the lake. Then you climb up to the lake. I came across 2 patches of snow but nothing to worry about. The lake is beautiful. I wish I would have had more time to spend there but with the time it took to get up there it didn't work out. I eat, took a few pictures of the lake, and headed back down. I headed back down to the trailhead about 1 pm and arrived at the trailhead at 5:30 pm. I was exhausted. This is a much better trip as a backpacking trip. You would have more time to explore the lake for all its beauty and visit the other lakes in this area.
Dingford Creek-Hester Lake
— Jul 10, 2011
— brennf
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mud/Rockslide | Mudholes | Snow on trail
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Lots of beautiful iconic Washington scenery. You need to be a seasoned hiker to get through this hike. It is...
Lots of beautiful iconic Washington scenery. You need to be a seasoned hiker to get through this hike. It is very root strewn, with fallen trees you have to climb over/under in order to pass. There are many water crossings approximately 10-15' wide, be prepared to get your feet wet in order to safely cross. There is a pretty cool rock waterfall that made me think of John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and other wilderness men and this must have been why they fought so hard to establish our National Forest Service. The day I went there was snow on the trail, able to walk on it without any devices. Once I got to the lake it was extremely quiet and serene. Enjoy, but be prepared to work for your scenery. :)
Dingford Creek-Hester Lake
— Oct 05, 2010
— austineats
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Overgrown | Mudholes | Washouts | Water on trail | Road to trailhead inaccessible
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This hike is a mixed bag. The Middle Fork road is closed at Taylor Creek which adds a few miles...
This hike is a mixed bag. The Middle Fork road is closed at Taylor Creek which adds a few miles just to get to the trailhead. I had a bike which is the only realistic option. It is just too many miles of road walking otherwise. This did however give me the trail to myself. It appears as though travel on this trail has been light lately. Both trails (Dingford and Hester) are extremely wet in places and they frequently suffer from erosion and mudholes. Both of these were evident but not as bad as I've seen them in the past.
Mushrooms are in abundance everywhere. I brought home a few chantrelles and king boletes to have for dinner. I saw others walking back to their cars with baskets full of chantrelles. Trail conditions as I said are wet and muddy. Dingford really wasn't that bad. Hester's trail however was overgrown with wet bushes. There are spots where the trail can washed out altogether or several inches deep in water. Not a trail for families or those with unsure footing. Hester lake was nice. There were a few campsites but minimal evidence of them getting much use.
Hester Lake #1005.1
— Jul 20, 2008
— wildland wanderer
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Clogged drainage | Mudholes | Washouts | Water on trail | Overgrown | Snow on trail
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On July 17, took Dingford Creek trail with Hester Lake as destination, trail is outstanding until junction to goto Hester...
On July 17, took Dingford Creek trail with Hester Lake as destination, trail is outstanding until junction to goto Hester or Myrtle Lakes. From there, the Hester Lake trails becomes difficult quickly, with stream crossings, blow-downs, a very muddy or flooded trail in places. After Crossing Dingford Creek, the way is okay for about one-half a mile, before it opens up into a marshlike meadow, braided by streams and melting snow. Multiple slabs of snow at varying depths cover most of the basin on either side of the meadow. From here, the trail completely disappears. It was not at all clear where to go. For this reason, I turned around. There was nobody else on the Hester Lk trail that day. |
Photo by Sarvesh.
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