Denny Creek, Mount Teneriffe Road Trail
Jan 30, 2010
by
KarenP
—
last modified
Feb 03, 2010 04:10 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Denny Creek
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- North Bend Area
- Agency: Snoqualmie Ranger District (425) 888-1421
- Trails: Denny Creek to Melakwa Lake (#1014)
- Avg Rating: 4.00
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Mount Teneriffe Road Trail
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- North Bend Area
- Agency: DNR
- Avg Rating: 3.33
- Be Aware Of
- Blowdowns
- Bridge out
- Snow on trail
- Avalanche danger
- Road to trailhead inaccessible
Keekwulee Falls
The day started out cloudy and rainy so we decided to go where there would be views close to the trail. Denny Creek Trail to Melakwa Lake was our destination. Luckily someone hacked an opening in the snow pile that had been blocking the Denny Creek Road when we tried this trail a couple weeks ago. We parked by the campgrounds where there were a couple other vehicles and headed up the icy road to the trailhead.
At first the trail was partially clear with ice and snow patches. Very soon, icy snow covered the trail. The Slide Falls were beautiful and so different than in the summer. We continued on. Alas, when Keekwulee Falls came into view, we decided the avalanche danger was too great to allow us to continue as planned to the lake. There was about 6 inches of wet snow piled on an icy layer underneath. Wet snow was continuing to fall. Reluctantly we turned around.
On our return to the Slide Falls we encountered the only other party we saw on this trail—a group of adults and children playing in the snow on the rocks. We returned to the campground and ate our lunch by the river.
Since it was still early we decided another hike was necessary to meet our hiking needs. Off we went to Kamikaze Falls. (Kamikaze is found by taking a side trip off of the Tenerife Road Trail.) We were horrified to find the construction of the new trail is seriously damaging the old trail. The new trail is a boring, rocky, wound in the forest. The old trail has mystery, challenge and beauty. Progress in this case is disheartening indeed.
Kamikaze Falls was an exquisite cascade of water. It made up for the pain we felt at the sight of the disfigurement of one of our favorite trails. The trail to the summit of Tenerife beckoned, but we did not have enough daylight left to continue on that steep challenging trail. Another day…..
For photos: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/
At first the trail was partially clear with ice and snow patches. Very soon, icy snow covered the trail. The Slide Falls were beautiful and so different than in the summer. We continued on. Alas, when Keekwulee Falls came into view, we decided the avalanche danger was too great to allow us to continue as planned to the lake. There was about 6 inches of wet snow piled on an icy layer underneath. Wet snow was continuing to fall. Reluctantly we turned around.
On our return to the Slide Falls we encountered the only other party we saw on this trail—a group of adults and children playing in the snow on the rocks. We returned to the campground and ate our lunch by the river.
Since it was still early we decided another hike was necessary to meet our hiking needs. Off we went to Kamikaze Falls. (Kamikaze is found by taking a side trip off of the Tenerife Road Trail.) We were horrified to find the construction of the new trail is seriously damaging the old trail. The new trail is a boring, rocky, wound in the forest. The old trail has mystery, challenge and beauty. Progress in this case is disheartening indeed.
Kamikaze Falls was an exquisite cascade of water. It made up for the pain we felt at the sight of the disfigurement of one of our favorite trails. The trail to the summit of Tenerife beckoned, but we did not have enough daylight left to continue on that steep challenging trail. Another day…..
For photos: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/
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New trail
The bootpath has now become an environmental nightmare, eroding the hillside and the ecosystem that is necessary for many plants and animals to survive. The DNR is building an appropriate trail not only to preserve the environment for the continued success of wild flora and fauna, but to give law-abiding hikers another official choice to visit.
Like Mailbox Peak, Rattlesnake Ledges (and the Denny Creek trail much longer ago), when enough damage is done by a bootpath, an official trail may become necessary for the preservation of the area.
Human selfishness aside - new trails are good for critters and wildlife.