The Kendell Katwalk has been on my list for a couple of years now and I finally got to do it with the Wilderness Women. The hike starts out through a cool forest with some great trees to admire, along with a variety of ferns. After 2 1/2 miles the wildflowers jump out at you as you traverse the switch back up to Kendall Ridge. Phlox, tiger lily, daisy, bisort, columbine, bluebell, monkhood, and lots of lupine & paintbrush are present. We stopped before crossing the Katwalk for lunch, which was a good choice for a breathtaking view of peaks and wildflowers, and good options of rocks to sit on while enjoying that well earned meal.
If you haven’t done this hike, put it on your list for now or when fall colors are peaking.

This was a hot dry summer day, and water was non-existent after about the 2nd mile. The lesson was to bring more water than you think you need, and to ration it carefully. Thanks to all the WTA volunteers for the trail maintenance.

I started at about 11:30am, and the trailhead lot was full. Temperature was in the mid-80s. By that time, there already were people coming out of the trail, meaning that by the time I got past the flank of Kendall Peak, about 2/3 of the way to the Katwalk, I had the place pretty much to myself. I took my time on the way up, but hoofed-it quickly on the way out - just at sunset (~8:30pm)

The wildflowers were awesome, and at their peak. Everything from lupine to monkshoods to paintbrush to bluebells. The corn lilies already had long stalks and were just about to bloom. Lots of columbine and tiger lilies out in the open, which surprised me because I associate those with being near streams.

Other than the heat and the water of this particular day, it doesn't get any better than this. If you want to show your summer out-of-town visitors a spectacular and iconic Northwest hike, take them here. Start early and be prepared - it's a long (11 mile RT) one.

Beautiful day for a hike sunny but not hot with a brisk breeze. A few logs on the trail that were not a problem crossing over or under. No bugs and the snow is mostly melted. There is one patch of snow about 20 yard wide before the Katwalk that requires crossing and it can be done on foot without traction devices. It is composed of soft snow not hard snow. The Katwalk is completely free of snow. After the Katwalk there is a boot path thru the snow to the lakes. The hike is mostly on snow with some open areas. Backpackers reported that Ridge and Gravel lake were mostly frozen.

WTA Hike-a-Thon
Hike #1
Pacific Crest Trail, Snoqualmie Pass to Kendall Katwalk
Miles: 11
Altitude gained: 2700

A late start was made even later by I-90 gridlock before exit 42, running just past exit 47. The DOT decided it would be nice to reduce I-90 down to one lane, and not put any notice on the AM radio or all those electronic billboards they have everywhere… After a two-hour drive from Seattle, the pups and I finally got to the trailhead at 1:30. Frustration soon turned into bliss though, as this is one of my favorite summer/fall day hikes. Cool forest quickly gave way to views of the peaks in the Commonwealth Basin area: Guye, Snoqualmie, Red, and Lundein. The wildflowers were competing with the mountains for my attention. The pups and I got to the Katwalk around 4pm, and enjoyed the views, sunshine and cool breezes for about 40 minutes. Trail treats today were blueberry almond bars, and pistachio truffles. Both were recipes from this month’s Washington Trails magazine. Delicious!

Trail beta:
There are two reliable summer/fall water sources in the first three miles. There are also currently two smaller blowdowns, and five or so smaller patches of snow--most of the snow is just before you get to the Katwalk. Nothing too difficult though, for humans or dogs. Pack animals probably wouldn’t make it. The trail is in pretty good shape, overall.

Gear brought:
10 essentials
Camera
Light hikers
25L daypack
3L water (didn’t need it all)

Wildflowers identified:
Lupine, thimbleberry, trillium, monkshood, columbine, plox, columbia tiger lily, indian paintbrush, monkey flower, aster, penstemon, common yarrow, bluebell, bleeding heart, queen cup. There were several more types I couldn’t identify.

Extra credit:
If you have time, a scramble up Kendall peak is fun. On the way back down to your car, you have the choice of the way you came, or the Commonwealth Basin trail…it is much steeper and usually overgrown, but there’s a cool log crossing over Commonwealth Creek, and a beautiful hidden waterfall to enjoy. This trail will also take you back to the parking areas.

Post-hike grub:
Jay Berry’s in North Bend is always good. They have chicken parm the size of your face, and never turn up their noses at smelly groups of hikers/climbers.

More pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/[…]/