This is a go-to hike for my family, offering something for everyone. It's flat and ADA-accessible, making it easy for my toddler to walk the whole way by herself. It has water, which the kids love. And there are nice mountain views for my husband and me to enjoy. It's hard to believe that this place was once a huge gravel pit for I-90 construction. It really is pretty. Signs still warn people not to fish or swim in the pond, so despite it's clarity, there is probably a fair amount of poison swirling about. There are still a few wildflowers, but they are certainly past their prime. And despite how easy it is to access this trail, there are very few people. I think it is because it is not written up in guidebooks. If you're looking for something leisurely with the children or with someone who can't walk far (or at all), this is a great place to go. It's also my final hike for WTA's Hike-a-Thon. The number of hikes is more impressive than the mileage: 6 hikes with the children and one glorious overnight backpack with a friend.

I recommend this hike for anyone who may know someone with limited mobility. Rather they are in a wheelchair, use a walker or may have a hard time getting around this is for them! The trail around the pond is relatively flat with just a few tiny little ups and downs.I took 3 kids and my father who is an a manual wheelchair. There were only 2 spots along the trail that we had to give him a little push. This was so nice for my dad. The whole loop was paved or a boardwalk. There are plenty of benches along the way around the pond. The views all around the pond are gorgeous. The picnic area is nice with an absolutely beautiful view. There was even a cut out on the picnic bench for my dad to wheel right up to instead of being at the end of the table, I thought that was so cool:-) Remember the bug spray though!!

I took my old backpacking & photography buddy, Lee Trivette, who had a stroke a few years back, to the Gold Creek Pond today. We arrived about noon and had lunch by the pond. It was sunny & warm, but not too hot (it sure beat the upper 90s in Yakima). As we ate, some interesting clouds drifted over towards Chikamin Peak, which made for some nice photos. After lunch I took him around the pond in his wheelchair. It took about 45 minutes. Most of the flowers were past, but there weren't many bugs. Then we just sat by the lake and reminisced for a while. It wasn't backpacking, but it sure was nice to be out in the mountain scenery with an old friend.

Great snowshoeing conditions.

Stopped by here on the way back from Cle Elum. This is a very easy, short walk around a lake near Snoqualmie Pass. Flowers were astounding. It is supposed to be a wildlife viewing area, but the only thing I saw was a gaggle of geese. The trail is paved, so this is a good place to take young children.