I attempted a longish "figure 8" hike of both the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail and Dutch Miller Gap Trail between the Dingford Creek/Dutch Miller Gap parking area to Hardscrabble Horse Camp. My "figure 8" route started on Dutch Miller Gap trail, cut over to Middle Fork trail at the Goldmyer bridge, returned on Dutch Miller Gap Trail, and then I started the last leg: the Middle Fork Trail from Goldmyer back to the parking lot.
I was foiled by Burnboot Creek, which was running strong. This creekbed is probably an easy hop in August but I wasn't prepared for a serious river crossing today...so I returned via Dutch Miller Gap Trail.
The Dutch Miller Gap Trail, being an old road bed, is rather boring. The only highlight is Dingford Creek Falls, which really was breathtaking today.
The Middle Fork Trail b/w Goldmyer and Hardscrabble Horse Camp is a pleasant forest walk. Moderately hilly and somewhat distant from the river. I prefer the lower section (hiked in January) b/w the Middle Fork Trailhead and Dingford Creek - more hilly, more scenic, IMO.
Caution:
- The Middle Fork/Goldmyer Road is, indeed, a heavily potholed and rocky hell.
- One major blowdown across the Middle Fork Trail just northeast of the Goldmyer bridge, which required some scrambling to climb over.
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