Williams Lake via Snoqualmie Middle Fork trail
Solo hike.
I left on September 8th. The 6 mile forest road from Garfield Flats to the Dingman trailhead is ROUGH. I recommend letting some air out of your tires (to about 25 psi) for a more comfortable ride with better traction. You'll spend about an hour on this road. I drove a Subaru Outback which was fine, except there are two dry creek crossings where you need to choose your route carefully or you might scrape the tail end of your vehicle.
I left from the Dingman TH via the closed forest service road which was easy going. At Goldmyer hotsprings I turned onto the Middle Fork trail. It was harder going, and I was a little bit concerned about running into bears (the ranger said 4 sightings had been reported closer to Williams Lake). I made up silly rhymes to sing as I walked, and clapped my hands to ward them off. I never saw any signs of bears (nor scat) so I guess it worked. There were some downed trees on the trail between Goldmyer and Hardscrabble that you have to climb over. It can help to take your backpack off. There are two interesting things of note on this trail: I saw what looked like a geyser in the on the trail, which at first I thought was a natural hotsprings. As I got closer, I saw the source was a rusty pipe that had sprung a leak. Maybe some old mining infrastructure? The second thing is a showerhead attached to a tree, with constantly running water.
The camp at Harcscrabble creek (old TH) has two level tent sites. and room for more.
The section between Hardscrabble and Crawford Creek the brush has been cut back, so if you go right now you'll enjoy clear going and good views of the surrounding valley. There are two kind of sketchy boulder slope crossings between Hardscrabble creek and Crawford creek. The first one (after about 1 mile) looks like the trail disappears. I had to take out my map to confirm the trail continued on the other side, then I crossed over (about 30ft). About 1 mile later, there's a wider downward and across traverse. Just take your time and take care not to twist an ankle.
The Crawford Creek camp is perfect for an Eno Hammock tent - the only camp site I found with obviously suitable trees. I made my camp here the first day after hiking 11 miles or so.
On the second day (September 9th), I left my tent behind and packed a daypack to get up to Williams Lake. There was a nice campsite overlooking the river between Crawford and Pedro. Pedro camp has a pit toilet (not marked on map).
The trail to Williams Lake is well maintained and easy going. There were TONS of ripe blueberries. The lake is BEAUTIFUL and highly recommended. I enjoyed a protein bar while sitting by a clifftop campsite overlooking the lake.
I followed the social trail around the lake to try to find the cabin remnants and old mine. I gave up when the trail seemed to end at a big boulder field. This trail also eventually finds some unmaintained switchbacks that continue up to Chain Lakes. I was pretty spent at this point and didn't want to risk boulder hopping. After spending 90 minutes at the lake I started hiking back down.
On the third day (September 10th), I broke camp mid-morning and started back out. At Hardscrabble (3 miles), I took the forest road all the way out (7 more miles). It was easy going and I made it out in about four hours (not counting a 25 minute dip in the river to clean up!)
I felt accomplished having backpacked 30-35 miles on my own and spent two nights by myself in the forest. Upon reflection, I realize that I quite enjoy having company when backpacking, especially during bear season and while trying to sleep with all kinds of wild animals around. I'll bring a friend on the next trip!
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