I started the day intending to hike to Snoqualmie Lake, but the Taylor River crossing to Nordrum Lake was passable so I took the chance to explore up the Nordrum Lake trail and got to 3/4 miles from the lake before being turned back by snow.
Road: past the bridge there are large potholes, recommend higher clearance vehicle.
Trial: the Snoqualmie Lake trail is clear and easy up to where the Nordrum Lake trail splits off (5.5 miles from trailhead). The Taylor River crossing at that point has two parts, and I was able to navigate both. The first one was rock hopping two different parts (1a and 1b in the pictures) -- long legs, poles, and dry conditions made it possible -- and the second included walking along a couple of downed trees, one of which had a handrail for a short section that was moderately stable (2 in the pictures). Wouldn't want to try it if things were icy or wet. See pictures.
There are a bunch of blowdowns on the Nordrum Lake trail after the river crossing. Two or three large trees right after the river which require squeezing under, and several more that need navigating around. After that there are a couple large blowdowns higher up, but those weren't as challenging. In general this trail is unmaintained and steep, but it was generally clear where the trail was except for going around blowdowns which needed a little bushwhacking, always short stints. The trail definitely needs some attention.
Snow started at about 2700' elevation, and by about 3,000' it became constant which just a little of the trail showing. I turned around at 3,200' because snow was constant and the terrain uneven which made it too risky for my liking, and I was tired of trying to pick my way through. That was about .7 miles from the lake.
Note that there's a sloped rock section with stream running down it at about 2,800' where the trail crosses. It was fine today, but I think any ice would make this treacherous since there's nothing to stop a slide.
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