Garfield Ledges, Middle Fork Connector Trail & Middle Fork Snoqualmie River — Sunday, May. 12, 2024

On a weirdly sunny and hot Mother's Day we decided to find shade on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie trails. We parked at the Middle Fork trailhead and walked the connector trail to the Garfield Ledges TH. There was plenty of room at 8:15. The connector has had a lot of recent work done. It's a smooth, gravel trail. We enjoyed the bleeding heart flowers, the river overlook and nice trees. We kept an eye out for traffic on the bridge. Drivers were polite. The lower part of Garfield Ledges is well maintained including the steep stairs. Above the stairs the trail is occasionally rocky and rooty like lots of trails. The view at the top is great! Stegosaurus Butte, the snowy tops of South Bessemer and Bessemer Mtn and the glacial valley of the Middle Fork were a nice view. Met some folks who thought we were seeing Rattlesnake Mtn and Cedar Butte over the CCC plateau. Could be. Got back to the car at 10am after 3.5 miles. It was packed! Moms and kids everywhere. Fun! Grabbed a fresh water bottle and went out the Middle Fork. About 1 mile out there's a large, hip-high down log. A quick foot path goes around the base and quickly back to the main trail. The creek crossings were easy and pleasantly cool. We found a log off the trail with a foot path to it. Lunch in the sun dappled forest. So about 8 miles and 1100 gain. Lots of pleasant people and leashed, happy dogs. Flowers included trillium, Oregon grape, bunch berry, mountain ash and twin flower.