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Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books

Upper Middle Fork Snoqualmie Meadow

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Featured In: Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Region, by Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer.
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All you have to do to enjoy this trail is survive perhaps the worst road in the Cascades. But the long, slow drive (crawl) is worth it. You'll ramble through groves of ancient forests, cross massive avalanche chutes choked with slide alder and salmonberries, and enjoy endless views of the stunning peaks of the upper Snoqualmie River watershed. Reap maximum benefit by visiting in late summer through early fall: (1) because by September most of the mosquitoes are dead and gone; (2) because cooler nights add brilliant color to the vine maples and slide alders; and (3) because ripe huckleberries await at the upper end of the valley.

If the last several miles of the road prove too rough for your vehicle, just walk those miles, and turn around early on the upper end of the trail. From the road end, the trail follows the north side of the river valley, angling steadily upward into the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Though the trail climbs from beginning to end, the gain is gentle--no ruthless switchbacks to worry about here.

The long, straight trail crosses several small side creeks (some are seasonal--dry in late summer--others are raging trickles year-round). As you hike you'll find your eyes constantly drawn upward. The slopes on both sides are a patchwork of bright white granite, green forest, and (in autumn) brilliantly colored bands of vine maples.

The trail meanders in and out of forest, sliding through meadows, skirting the base of alder-clogged avalanche chutes, and hopping over small creeks and gullies. This varied terrain and gentle climbing goes on for nearly 7 miles until the trail reaches a stunning little valley-bottom meadow dotted with small ponds and laced with wandering streams. Low-bush huckleberries fill the grassy meadows. If the berries aren't ripe, you can feast on the view of Summit Chief Mountain. This massive rock looms to your right (east), casting a remarkable reflection in the meadow ponds.

This is a great place for lunch before heading back downvalley for that long drive home.

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.
Continue east another 6.5 miles to the road end and trailhead. The last few miles are extremely rough and require a high-clearance vehicle. If you're in a lower-clearance passenger car, you'll have to hike a few extra miles (how many depends on road conditions).

Recent Trip Reports

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There are 1 trip reports for this hike.

Upper Middle Fork Snoqualmie Meadow, Otter and Big Creek Falls - Taylor River — Feb 15, 2010 — Uli

Day hike

Issues: Blowdowns | Mud/Rockslide | Washouts

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Tayor river trail to Snoqualmie Lake / Nordrum Lake junction with side tour to Lipsy lake / Otter falls. There is...

Tayor river trail to Snoqualmie Lake / Nordrum Lake junction with side tour to Lipsy lake / Otter falls.

There is a sign on the Middle Fork road near the Mailbox Peak trailhead saying "Road closed 5 miles ahead." Not true, the road is open all the way to the Middle Fork trail trailhead and up to the campground and Tayor River trail trailhead. Quite a few potholes, but no problem with our Prius (we even passed a slow Toyota Tacoma pickup on the way to the trailhead).
Trail is easy to follow, with a few trees across the trail and a few washouts to climb over / through. We went a little past the Snoqualmie Lake / Nordrum Lake junction, heading up towards Snoqualmie Lake for another 1/4 mile or so where a large washout had obliterated the trail. Since we were mostly out there for a trail run, and it appeared that there was not much running possible we turned around. Tried the trail to Nordrum Lake, but that ended after 1/4 mile at the creek crossing (or the lack thereof). On the way back we saw (by chance) a small rock cairn marking the "trail" to Lipsy Lake / Otter Falls. Not a well established trail, but simply go uphill and listen for the waterfall. It's less than 1/4 mile detour, but definitely worth it!!!
Great day for a trail run. Only distraction was someone (or a few people) target shooting next to the Taylor River about 100 yards from the trailhead. Never saw them, but heard about 20 shots fired.

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Location

Snoqualmie Pass -- North Bend Area

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Snoqualmie Ranger District

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