Past peak bagging prime. But mountains are still calling. I'll be pass bagger.

The Manning/Spring 55 Best Trails in the Snoqualmie Pass area mention continuing up past Little Myrtle Lake to the pass over into the Dorothy lake watershed. They add further inticement with a photo of the Lake from up high.

Started at the Middle Fork Trailhead and hiked to the bridge back over the Middle Fork. Wonderfully maintained with beautifully built bridges; thank to all who did this work. Up to Myrtle Lake to camp for the night; the way was somewhat muddy but free of brush. Mosquitoes and black flies present, but relatively benign. Next morning headed up to Little Myrtle Lake. The start of the trail at the head of Myrtle Lake was hard to find as the way was through old downed trees. My dog Fuzz is built low to the grown, able to see and smell the way. ""Which way Fuzz?"" and he was over the logs and up the trail.

After this initial rough start, the way became clear to the lake. Skirted around the left (west) side and on up about a half mile to the pass. Easy. But have you bagged a pass if you don't go down the other side?

Granite slabs stretched in both directions with no discernible trail. Topo map suggested bearing about 60 degrees east. The way was thick with willows which obscured bouders. Frequent 10 to 15 foot drops required detours. After about half mile I turned north following a small (steep) creek. This joined a larger creek which clearly flowed to Lake Dorothy. High banks required crossing and recrossing this creek several times. Coming up the bank, there was an orange flag. What a welcome sight as I had been bushwhacking for about three hours. This flagged trail lead to the foot bridge at the head of the Lake. I suppose I should have followed this trail back up the creek to see if it lead up to the pass; but I was too tired. I'll leave that to another day, or another hiker. From Bear Lake to the junction with the Nordrum Lake trail, the way was very brushy with salmonberry. Three volunteers were working clearing this section. Thanks.

Back to the car after completing this 27 mile loop. I had camped a second night west of Snoqualmie Lake; so I spent two and a half days on the trail. If someone wants to do this loop, I suggest going around clockwise (follow the orange flagging). Going uphill through the willows would be a lot safer if more difficult.

Billy Milkweed

We set out early friday to beat the rush of people. Not many cars at the trailhead. Taylor River trail was very easy. Less than an hour later we hit the bridge crossing Marten Creek. We backtracked about fifty feet and found the small non-descript entrance to Marten lake Trail. The trail heads up through some very large old growth and is fairly steep. After a while the trail narrows and heads through vine maple, salmonberry and devils club. Then the fun begins. The last third of the trail goes straight up, stairstepping on slippery roots, finally heading down to the lake. There was no snow on the trail and only a few soggy spots. The steep, brushy Marten Creek Trail took us about three hours. It's definately not a trail for beginners. The trail empties out into the best campsite. There are a few others across the outfall to Marten Creek but they are small and don't have great water views or access. The lake is beautiful and access is somewhat limited to the north side, unless you want to do some extreme days hikes. There are lots of bugs but not many biting ones. If you are into botany this is a great area. It has old growth forest, including vaccinium, menzesia and some large moutain hemlock and alaska yellow cedar. There are some great marshy areas with shooting star and marsh marigold. The boulder fields also have many intersting species, including two of smilacena. Be sure to explore Marten Creek from the lake outfall and below for some amazing waterfalls and pools! we only saw two other groups of people at the lake in four days, probably due to the primitive and somewhat ominous description of the trail that we had read in many of the guidebooks. It was a tough mile and a half! Or maybe we're just getting old? Get there early to get the good campsite!

Middle fork road is same as always - rough, long, filled with potholes. Passable in average cars if you're careful but a truck is better.

Taylor River road is in good shape. Smooth in places, very rocky in others. Very wet. Starting to get very green out there.

Turn off to Marten Lake is across from a big cedar snag, before you reach the falls. In places it's easy to lose this trail so be aware of where you're going. It's mostly unmaintained and a bushwack if places. Follow the trail up the hill, over some fallen trees and slick roots. On and off views of the falls but the creek is always in earshot.

When you encounter a huge rock smack in the middle of the trail follow the trail around to the other side. Do not go completely around the rock. On the far side look right for a rooty trail down. This trail is rough, rocky, lots of slippery root ladders and leaves crowding in. Poles help greatly. If it's wet full on rain gear is needed. On a drier day long pants and possibly gaiters would help greatly.

There is one large campsite beside the outlet with a fire ring, and another trail heading off uphill possibly to another but we did not check it out.

More trip photos: http://www.pbase.com/billcat/

Taylor River Trail is clear and quite nice. The droves are out already. Popular place. We continued on to Lk Snoqualmie. We were hoping to scout the trail for a possible thru hike from I-90 to Hwy 2 with this trail. It's definitely doable. Lk Snoqualmie trail however is a bit rugged. A lot of the trail is on current run off/stream beds and if we weren't having such dry weather right now, I'm not sure how bad it could get. As well, the old boardwalks are mostly rotted and are potentially hazardous. Rat Packer stepped on a ""see-saw"" board and could have seriously injured an ankle. A couple of stream crossings are on logs, one of them a good 5 feet above the stream. Not for the faint of heart. The trail is pretty tho. Check out the super cool canyon the river has carved out about a mile from the lake. Follow the rock cairn markers at the boulder field crossings. The lake is still a bit frozen over and there is a little snow, but camp sites are clear and scenic. Temps on the trail were around 60. At the lake it got probably down to 30-35 overnight. It looks like the trail is slated for repair and some reroutes, judging by recently placed hot pink flags. Thanks WTA! : )