Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Middle Fork Snoqualmie River: Upstream
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 Middle Fork Snoqualmie River is a fast-moving, cold river that few hikers would care to cross on their own. But when the Forest Service and a team of volunteers installed a bridge over the Middle Fork near the mouth of the Taylor River, hikers gained new trails to explore. Walk across the bridge--stopping midspan to enjoy the views up- and downstream, as well as to marvel at the beautiful bridge (circa 1993)--and turn left to hike upstream alongside the tumbling river. The trail rolls in and out of the trees, sometimes dropping down close to the water's edge while at other times it pushes far into the forest. The Middle Fork is a trout-rich river, so it's not uncommon to see fish-eating birds along its banks. Blue herons and bald eagles are frequent visitors, so don't be surprised if a massive bird takes wing right before your eyes. Around 0.75 mile into the hike, you'll pass under a tall granite wall, dubbed Stegosaurus Butte. These cliffs top out at 2000 feet (about 1100 feet above your head). Another mile on and you'll find the narrow path opening up a bit as it takes advantage of an old railroad right-of-way--steam locomotives once used this route to pull railcars loaded with logs out of the forest. The next 1.2 miles angle through the woods, finally dropping down to the riverside. Cool your feet in the icy waters--or maybe even wet a line if you're an angler (good fishing here at times!)--before heading back down to the trailhead.
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 Mid-dle Fork Snoqualmie Road for 11.8 miles to the Middle Fork trailhead parking area on the right. Cross the river on the impressively large metal and wood footbridge. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Features:
Ripe berries
Issues:
Blowdowns | Snow on trail
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We started 2012 with our largest group hike yet, 14 people and one dog. We arrived at the trailhead at...
We started 2012 with our largest group hike yet, 14 people and one dog. We arrived at the trailhead at about 1 pm. The route is essentially the same one used to reach the Mailbox Peak trailhead, except that one must continue for an additional 9 miles on FR 56. The pavement ends just past the Mailbox TH, however, and the road has ample potholes. A more accurate description is that there is a little bit of road in between the potholes. The road also has snow, but not heavy, and 4 city cars were able to reach the Middle Fork TH without slipping and sliding. The road may become much more difficult to navigate as more snow accumulates.
The trailhead had a few cars when we arrived at about 11:30 am. We saw other groups of hikers on the trail, but it was not overcrowded. We crossed the bridge over the Middle Fork and turned left. The trail is in good condition, with small amounts of snow on the trail in many sections. There are several creek crossings, but none proved difficult. There was one moderate-sized blowdown, which was easily passable. The day was partly sunny, and we were treated to grand views of Russian Butte and Garfield Mountain during the drive. The imposing face of Garfield dominated our hike, since much of the summer foliage was on the forest floor. Though the trail has a net gain of 200 feet over 3 miles (which most of us completed), it has enough up-and-down to provide a light workout. Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Empty your bladder and if you have a protective mouth guard you may want to put that in for the...
Empty your bladder and if you have a protective mouth guard you may want to put that in for the long bumpy ride up to the trail head. I don't think I have ever been on a road with so many potholes and I have driven a lot of forest service roads in the past few years. There was also some snow and slush on the road, but not enough to be hazardous (except where the snow was hiding the holes.)
There were a few cars in the parking lot, but not too many as it was still fairly early on New Year's Day. Starting up the trail you cross a nice bridge over the river, the bridge is pretty slick with the snow/slush on it, if you have little ones with you it is probably best to hold their hands. There is some snow on the trail but it is pretty well packed and easily navigable with just hiking boots. A hiking pole or two would be helpful for some of the downhills and bridges that are a little slick. There are also several small streams to be crossed but none that seemed to be a problem for my hiking partner and I or our 14lb. dog. There are some small blow downs and leaners on the trail, but again super easy to navigate. The biggest problem we encountered was when approaching one stream, the slope down is almost like quicksand-really deep, sucking mud. You can go around this or just make a run for it like we did (water proof shoes and gaiters come in handy sometimes.) This was a great trail to start off the new year, although the drive up may discourage some.
Middle Fork Snoqualmie River: Upstream
— Nov 29, 2011
— a Tuesday Trekker
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bridge out
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Our group, 11 seniors, did this hike last Tuesday. While the trail appeared to have had considerable work done on...
Our group, 11 seniors, did this hike last Tuesday. While the trail appeared to have had considerable work done on it this year, we encountered several blowdowns, some of which we had to find an alternate route around. Also, one significant creek crossing, at about the 2 1/2 mile mark I believe, presented problems for some of our hikers. I'm sure younger, more agile folks could negotiate the crossing without problems. It appeared that there used to be a bridge at this crossing as a whole bridge/boardwalk type structure was sitting alongside the trail on one side of the creek. After one of our party fell at the creek crossing and got somewhat wet, part of our group turned around and returned to the trailhead. The rest hiked on to about the 3 mile point where the trail meets the river. Other than the obstacles we encountered, this is a lovely trail through glorious forest with periodic nice views to the river and/or surrounding mountains. It's clearly, however, a trail that requires significant maintenance probably every year, what with all the avalanche/slide areas and vulnerability to blowdowns.
Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
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After sitting behind a desk all week I HAD to get out, rain or shine! I choose Middle Fork I...
After sitting behind a desk all week I HAD to get out, rain or shine! I choose Middle Fork I forgot how bad the potholes are. After 2 miles they get a little annoying. It wasn't raining until I got 1 mile from TH. Luck me! Then it started Hailing sideways for the 3 hours I was out. The forest was green and gorgeous as I remembered. But I was getting soaked my rain jacket is loosing it's luster, so i turned back early. I did check out a few steps of the pratt trail, it looks nice but i'll save it for another day, when I can get some blue sky and better mountain views. Not my best hike but not my worse. I'd say in my top 5 wettest all time. Still better than sitting on the couch or cleaning house for sure!
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bridge out | Overgrown | Washouts | Bugs
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I day hiked the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail all the way to Goldmyer (10 miles, one way). The trail...
I day hiked the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail all the way to Goldmyer (10 miles, one way). The trail is in great shape. I've heard horror stories about the blow downs, but I didn't cross anything that wasn't simply maneuvered over or around or through. I would say this trail is quite ready for back packers.
The bridge near the trail head is awesome. I wasn't looking forward to fording that river. After the bridge, the next chance for water is about 1.35 miles in. I say this because I don't carry water when I know it will be in abundance, and on this trail, it definitely is. I carry empty bottle and a filter for a few miles. I did stop at the 2 mile point as this is where the river roars to life as the trail approaches it for the first time. The river's loud roar was my morning greeting. Its barely 7am now. During the first 4 miles, the trail is in good shape. I did cross a blow down at about the 2 mile point and again at the 4 mile point, but both of those were easily cross-able. Also, at about 3 miles from the trail head, the trail was simply gone. But again, a easy climb down a few feet and a hop over a creek and I was back on the trail. At 4.4 miles in, I came to Derick Creek. The bridge is still there, but there's a tree laying completely across it. One of the hand rails is gone, but all in all, the bridge is doing fine. There are a couple more blow downs at miles 5.6 and 5.8, but nothing too serious. At the 6.4 mile point, you will encounter Wildcat Creek. The ummm bridge here is nicely done. A log with stepping notches cut into it. Awesome work! However, the climb away from Wildcat Creek was unexpected and caught me a little off guard. I was, however, pleasantly rewarded as I climbed out of the Wildcat gully and entered a lovely wooded area which stuck me as oddly quiet. A bird whistled and a squirrel yelled at me, but other than that it was blissfully quiet. I assume, though, that if you're hiking with someone else, that you might not get to appreciate the same quiet as I did. In fact, you may be listened to quite a bit of whining around about now. Hang in there and wait until they see how you have to cross Burntboot Creek. I met a very nice gentleman at Goldmyer Hot Springs. He updated me on all the latest gossip and the details about the springs. They encourage reservations (206)789-5631. |
Garfield Mountain from the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River trail. Photo by Shane.
2011
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