Sometimes, I’m really thankful not to have made it to my destination!

I started at the paved Middle Fork Trailhead due to my low clearance car (hence “road suitable for all vehicles”). At 7 AM, there were about fifteen cars in that half of that huge lot; barely a quarter full, or less. I walked to the Snoqualmie Lake trailhead, where there were seven cars. The Snoqualmie Lake bathroom was clean and stocked.

In addition to the replenished toilet paper, work had been done on the trail since my visit this past Monday; thank you to the crews! Several small blowdowns were gone, and it appears a brand-new trail is being made up to Otter Falls.

Shortly after the Snoqualmie Lake trail split from the Nordrum Lake one, the trail got much steeper, rougher, and wetter. There were logs to climb over or under more regularly, but it was always easy to see the trail on the other side. There was a stretch up a rocky riverbed where I would likely have gotten lost if not for the cairns, but they were (at least at the time) plentiful. Going towards the lake, climb upwards along the stream for a short bit, then look to the right to find the trail.

My initial goal had been to reach Deer Lake and Bear Lake, but reports from campers coming down were that there was snow past Snoqualmie Lake. The campers had made it to Deer Lake in some snow. They had heard that some sturdier folks were making it to Bear Lake, but postholing.

There were patches of snow visible off to the side of the trail shortly before the Snoqualmie Lake, but only snow I had to actually step on was just a few feet before the campsite on the banks of Snoqualmie Lake. I’m not a big fan of hiking on snow – the sight of dirt is such lovely reassurance that I am, in fact, on the trail – and by the time I got to Snoqualmie Lake the temperature was dropping, the clouds were darkening, and the legs were tiring. I decided to call it a day and head back.

Overall, I did a little over 19 miles in about 8 hours. I’m looking forward to coming back to visit the various other lakes along this trail on future visits. It’s a great spot for starting to get back in summer shape – relatively long mileage without a huge amount of elevation gain.

And I’m so glad I called it a day when I did! There was a medium-light rain for the last two hours or so of my return trip, but by the time I got back to the highway, a huge, dark (and unforecasted) storm broke loose. I hope everyone who was going up the trail as I was coming down is all right!

Road to trail: After the paved portion of the middle fork trail, the road is rough with large potholes. Just about any car should be able to make it if going slow though. 

Trailhead: Got here at 4:30 pm on a weekend day for an overnight hike to Snoqualmie Lake. The trail was mostly full with a handful of spots open. There were cars parked down the road too, meaning earlier in the day it was probably overflowing. The toilet was open and fully stocked. 

Trail: This trail is really two hikes in one. The first part is an easy flat river trail that goes on for the first 5-6 miles (one way) through a second growth forest with great side trips and plenty of water falls. The second part is a 2-3 mile hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness with some elevation gain through a beautiful old growth forest past a couple raging waterfalls to a huge alpine lake. The Taylor River trail was smooth and easy. Not much elevation gain. All the downed trees have been cleared. I even saw someone biking the trail. The creek crossings were relatively low and easy to navigate, but the waterfalls were still great. At the trail junction between Nordrum Lake and Snoqualmie Lake my watch read 5.7 miles. After that the trail started to climb and was notably more rough. Definitely more muddy, and 5-6 downed trees across the trail, including a couple that were pretty tricky to get around/over. That said I was able to do it without much trouble. There is an amazing waterfall on the Taylor river about half way up. A little less than 2 miles from the junction is a tricky creek crossing, not because the water is high but because it is a little unclear which way to go. There are some cairns to help guide the way across this wide boulder field, but as long as you use your maps you should be able to find the way. Best to stay towards the left/higher side and make your way up, but there is more water that way too, including a place where the creek seemed to be going down the trail directly. The waterfall at the lake outlet is right after this and really nice. Once at the lake there started to be a little late spring soft snow, but nothing too hard to cross. There was no one camping in the first site to the left of the trail I saw but it wasn't very nice. The second site on a ledge up above the lake to the left of the trail had a couple of tents in it. The third site I came to on the right side of the trail right on the lake shore had someone in it. The 4th site which was to the left had no one in it. You had to cross a little snow to get there but the site itself was snow free and nice. I set up here, got my tent ready and made dinner. I saw probably 20-25 people on the Taylor River trail on the way up but not one after the junction. There was someone at the lake with a blow up kayak enjoying sunset. It took me about 4 hours to get to the lake so I made it there just before sunset. On the way out I went the same way that I came. I got an early start in the morning and didn't see anyone until I was about 3 miles from the trailhead. After that I probably saw another 20 or so people. Got back to the trailhead at 9 am and it was already filling up and was mostly full. 

Wildflowers: There were a bunch of forest flowers blooming. Saw a bunch of trillium, some salmon berry flowers, skunk cabbage, and some other stuff I didn't recognize. 

Wildlife: Some squirrels, a turtle at the lake, and not really anything else. 

Overall, a quick overnight backpacking trip that was about 16.5 miles total with about 2300 ft elevation gain. Really beautiful place. I will definitely come back when I have more time. 

Thanks to all the folks who wrote trip reports this spring, I was able to time my hike just right – the crossings were just low enough that with good balance, I didn’t have to get my shoes wet, but there was still plenty of water for the falls.

If your legs are sturdier than your car, don’t be scared away by the reports of a rough road! My mechanic/husband has forbidden further encounters with potholes, so I parked my car at the Middle Fork Trailhead, shortly before the beautiful, smooth pavement ends. This only adds about a mile each way, and I was glad I’d done it; I would have needed more clearance than my ancient little Civic has to offer.

I also added about a mile each way to the end of the hike, and I’m glad I did that, too – Big Creek Falls was so much more impressive than I’d expected! The picture doesn’t do it justice, but it’s several stories of rushing falls that end right in front of the bridge you’re standing on.

The trail was rocky but in good shape – a few small logs across the trail, but all easy to step over. It went consistently uphill, but so gradually that I didn’t feel it at all. Otter Falls were pretty – so tall! – and there was a nice little shore area for snack breaks. I had the place to myself; I only ran into 5 people all day, all of them on my way back. About what I expected for an early Monday hike (I started at about 7:30).

Practical note – since I had to park so far from the trailhead, I figured I might as well report on the bathrooms. Middle Fork had almost no toilet paper (less than a quarter roll), same as Snoqualmie Lake. Garfield Ledges only had toilet paper in one of the two toilets. Maybe pack some TP, just in case.

Sunday morning hike to Otter Falls was a success all around. Pulled in around 1030, 2 spots left, although it never felt crowded.  Trailhead has a pit toilet. Scenic Middle fork road is paved up until the last bit which was  rough with large potholes. I took it slow and had no problems. 
Trillium, bleeding hearts and yellow violets lined the trail. Grateful to have poles for the stream crossings. There is a sign to indicate the turn off to Otter Falls. Trail was clean and doggos were all on leashes and well mannered. 

Found on the trail and left them on the large rock in front of the trailhead map / info board at the Taylor River Bridge (TH).

• A pair of sunglasses (Adidas?) between Otter Falls and Big Creek Bridge.
• A black bike lock (was perched on the tree with the Otter Falls sign).