Confined to the flat stuff with a gimpy, but finally improving, knee I took a cue from Tony and went off chasing waterfalls. Water was already falling from the sky anyway so why not make a theme of it. First up was Franklin Falls. I only wanted to get a few photos so I took the lazy/cheater trailhead parking near the uppermost switchback in the road. I was at the falls in 10 minutes. It was raining pretty steadily and the falls were roaring, making for a very misty experience. I dont think I managed a single shot without many droplets on my lens. As I was packing my camera away, umbrella balanced over my shoulder, a little gust of wind kicked up and before I could grab it the umbrella skipped away into the raging creek. It floated upside down for a second then sunk like a ship. There was no way I could grab it without risk of falling in. Another few seconds and it was gone, swept away. Hopefully it does a good job keeping some fish dry. I made a side trip up to the gas station at the pass for a new one only to find they dont sell umbrellas. It was mostly a steady drizzle now, not heavy rain, but it meant my SLR would likely stay in the backpack and no macro shots this time. I drove back down the road again to my second destination, Keekwulee falls. I'd planned to stop at Fall-Into-The-Wall Falls too but forgot to write down the directions. I wandered in the drizzle up the trail, crossed the slippery slabs on the slippery bridge, and found my way up to Keekwulee falls which was going at a near spring flow. I took a photo then headed back down to my final stop, Otter Falls. I stopped at the gas station mini mart near the truck town and was again surprised they dont sell umbrellas either. The BBQ smelled really tasty though. I left that for later and drove up the Middle Fork road. The King County section is in pretty bad shape, tons of pot holes and standing water. Glad I didn't wash my Outback after last weeks mud adventure. Happily the Forest Service half is in great shape, almost no potholes! I stopped for a quick photo of the bridge at the Middle Fork trailhead and continued on to the Taylor River. I hadn't hike this one for a few years. Just as rocky and slick as I remembered it. With the camera confined to my backpack I made good time. I paused for some long exposures of Marten Creek since the rain had let up, then continued on to Otter Falls. Someone had helpfully written "cairns" in big block letters on the jumbo cairn that marks the falls trail. There was also a sign for the falls, new since my last visit. Otter Falls was nice as always though Lipsy is a much prettier lake when not surrounded by late fall decay. I took a few photos and headed out to beat sunset. I'd forgotten hot monotonous the walk out on this one is. Even though it only took an hour and a half it seemed to stretch forever. I was happy to be back at the car. As I walked up two guys had just finished changing a flat in their SUV. I changed into dry socks and started the drive out. Slow going and a real adventure trying to spot the deep potholes in the dark. Halfway out I passed another victim with a completely blow out tire. Take it easy out there everyone! Trip photos here: http://www.pbase.com/billcat/otterfalls

This is my second trip to Franklin Falls. Absolutely love this falls. One of my favorites along I-90. The hike is real easy and we were able to see too many groups with kids. This is a must see for anyone who is living around Seattle area. For pictures please visit desihiker.blogspot.com

Our M's group of 12 arrived for a late-start hike and found the Franklin Falls and Denny Creek parking lots completely full. After some creative parking, we hit the Denny Creek trail and enjoyed the great weather for a short hike to the ""water slide"" about a mile in. Then we headed back for Franklin Falls and a return via the Wagon Road trail. All of the trails are in great shape, though there were a few muddy spots. Crowds were pretty light for a sunny Saturday, but I'll bet it was standing room only at Melakwa Lake! We saw a WTA work party hard at work on the first 1/8th-mile of the Franklin Falls trail. Outstanding work by all involved! I can tell you from personal experience that my mother found that first rocky, rooty section particularly difficult -- so much so that she bagged the hike and stayed behind last summer!

This is a great hike to do with young children - short (2 miles round-trip), gentle grade, and a nice pay-out at the end. Our not quite two year old almost made it to the falls before asking for the backpack. The trail is sandwiched between the two directions of I-90 on the west side of Snoqualmie Pass, though we only heard and saw the freeway intermittently. Unfortunately, you do see the towering westbound span at Franklin Falls. The trail is almost 100% families with young children, so a few words of warning. The last few yards to the gravel bar below the falls is slick rock - I can only imagine how slippery it would be when wet. Most children will need assistance here. Also, bring long sleeves and even pants if you want to linger at the falls. The spray is quite cool, and the sun doesn't reach the falls until quite late in the day. We left at 11am, and it was still nowhere near. Visitors wearing shorts and t-shirts appeared very cold.

Hiked out from Denny Creek Campground in the late afternoon (4:00ish). No bugs to get in our faces, so that was a definite plus! The trail is pretty easy, but there were a few blown-down trees that made following the path a bit tricky. Most of the trees in the way have to be gone over, rather than around, so children or people with disabilities may want to take extra care while climbing over them. The path gets a little muddy in some places, but nothing deep or dangerous. There is a low spot early-on in the trail where part of it has been washed-out by Denny Creek. The trail dips down and you have to ""hop"" over the water to the other side where it starts to go back uphill again. At the falls, the rocks are wet and can be slippery, SO BE CAREFUL, but we didn't find them to be too difficult to walk on. Right now, Franklin Falls is just roaring with all the water cascading down from the mountains. Be sure to keep your camera close and to dry it off after taking pictures. There's a LOT of water spray the closer you get to the falls. (so if you wear glasses, like me, be sure to dry them when you hike back out of the rocks or it might be difficult to see where you're stepping) Right now, there were lots of Trilliums in bloom, but they don't last long. Go see them while you can! There weren't a lot of people on the trail when we went, but I suspect it'll get busier as the weather improves.