Pushing the season just a little, we hiked the Taylor River road out to Big Creek, despite the showery weather. The trail is passable with no problems - minor snow starts at about mile 3, and there are a few long stretches of snow at the approach to the Big Creek bridge. Snowshoes are not needed. No sign of the high water making the trail unpassable as reported in November 2005. There is one washed out section of trail fairly early - backtrack to stay above it for the easiest crossing - the clay/mud below is very deep and slippery. All other trail challenges were just the normal low water creek crossings. The bridge just past the turn off to Marten Lake is in perfect condition.

Very was out yet in the way of flowers - 2 trillium - numerous skunk cabbage - a little stand of coltsfoot. Not even the salmon berries are blooming yet. Still a delightful day in the woods!

So, this is the last trip on this trail for the 2005 season, it appears. From forest road #56, our persistent group got about 4 miles in, past Marten Creek, which was a great hike. The creek midway between Marten Creek and Lipsay Lake/Otter Falls, though, has entirely taken over the trail (appears to be flooding). Might be able to be forded, but it was running fairly fast and deep when we were there (it had been raining all day)

So, we trekked back to Marten Creek to check out the trail up to Marten Lake (trail 1006). Problem is, we couldn't find it! There were two possibilities, both of which disappeared about a half mile up. Anyway, just a heads up for anyone looking to head out on this trail until spring or summer.

An interesting loop. Parked at Middle Fork Trailhead and then hiked up Taylor river trail after work on Friday and camped at Deer Lake. Only saw two other people, who had come in from Highway 2. On Friday, went cross-country from East side of Deer Lake to Myrtle Lake. Took 3 hours and was going compass-only for most of the time. Key is to take a bearing from Deer to Myrtle, stay on ridge top and occcasionally correct to bearing (I found it easy to get disoriented and wanted to veer left when I needed to stay right). Keep just to the East of the ridge top to avoid cliffs (visible from Deer lake and on topo). Near the top (about 4,600'), cross left below large bowl to Eastern ridge, go up halfway then traverse across right across top of bowl on gentle slabs to top of pt 5111. You can see Myrtle lake from there. Harder than I expected but not harder than I should have expected. Brush, steep but not exposed, and no sign of trail/direction. Very pretty on ridge top, it is Enchantments-like with it's angled rock and a couple of pretty pinacles.

Trail to Snoqualmie Lake and Dingford Creek trail definitely are past their golden days. Lots of old boardwalks that are either falling apart or mostly gone. Trail to Snoqualmie Lake up from the valley is a bit hard to follow in places. I could definitely see getting lost if it were close to dark. Some washouts and places you have to follow cairns and clues. Dingford is less so but has it's share of rough spots.

Middle Fork trail is immaculate and well used. The Forest Service is doing good things up here and should be congradulated.

Was out by 1:00 in the afternoon.

The Taylor TH is a short drive from Seattle, and just outside of North Bend. The hike follows the Taylor River for a while (5-6 miles) along an old road thru forest. The trail begins at about 6 miles when you begin to elevate up the ridge into the Alpine Lks Wilderness and towards Snoqualmie Lk. in about 3 miles, you get to the shore of large Snoq Lk. Immediately, there are about 3-4 campsites. We followed the trail past those for about 0.5 mi to find a lunch spot, but the trail elevates above the lakeshore, so the best spots to eat are right away. We didn't continue to Bear and Deer Lks and beyond to Dorothy, but I remember going to those from the other side and they were pretty lakes as well. Snoq Lk is surrounded by rocky cliffs, big cedars, and huckleberries - classic alpine lake. We ate in a spot surrounded by ripe berries, which made a good dessert. Not many bugs. The trail up to the lake is suffering from age and lack of maintenance, but is still easy to follow. Some of the creeks are in different spots too, as is evident by huge abandoned culverts.

This is a nice trail, but not one to show off all the wonders of the Pacific NW. The blueberries are nearly untouched though!