Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road Closure
The Middle Fork Snoqualmie region, popular with campers and hikers from the Puget Sound area, experienced a number of critical washouts that will likely prevent or delay access well into the summer.
The Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road is currently gated just beyond the
Mailbox Peak trailhead. The road provides access to the Middle Fork
campground, Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail and popular hiking areas such
as Otter Falls, Myrtle Lake and Goldmyer Hot Springs. According the King County, more than 20 washouts
occurred along the road between beyond the gate to the Middle Fork campground. King
County, which is resposible for maintenance of this stretch of the
road, is working with the U.S. Forest Service to repair the road and
restore access.
After March 23, the road will be closed to all access, although some
stretches of the closure may be hiked. Road work and closures are
expected into June, according the King County Department of
Transportation road alert
web site.
In addition, the Snoqualmie Ranger District reports that the Taylor
River Bridge, just beyond the Middle Fork campground, is washed out.
WTA recently canceled its Volunteer Vacation to Goldmyer Hot Springs
due to this washout.
No word on when repairs might begin on this crucial link--the ranger station reports that there is log crossing over Taylor River downstream from the bridge, but this isn't a dependable or safe option for most hikers. This bridge washout does not affect access to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail, but it does limit the ability to reach the Taylor River drainage and hiking destinations such as Otter Falls.
UPDATE: Karen Sykes reports on her trails blog that no one is being allowed beyond the closure, and that work could take up to 12 weeks.
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