Goldmyer Hot Springs — Sunday, Jul. 18, 2010

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

Wanted to see if Goldmyer lived up to its illustrious billing. Yup! Overnight trip, with full backpacks, up the closed road leaving Taylor River bridge trailhead. No construction ongoing. Very pleasant journey up moderate grade, shade entire way. Hard surface (packed and rocks) raised havoc on partners tender feet. Total distance 10 miles. About 4 hours of hiking with lunch stop. Did a bit of fly fishing on the way out in gorgeous setting. Posed no threat to the catch and release population of trout where I casted. Road would have been easy with mountain bikes. We opted not to take the middle fork trail ... several blowdowns reported at top end of trail. We preferred to spend little amount of time we had at the site and not en route. Caretakers indicate about same distance on road or trail. Road was quite pleasant. Goldmyer camping is superb. Surroundings are meticuously kept while preserving natural beauty. No fires. No trash/litter anywhere. 1/3 mile hike to hotsprings from caretaker cabin ($15 pp visitor fee). Hotsprings are 2 pools and a cave, with changing shelter adjacent and roaring stream/falls bordering. Old growth hemlock and cedar along the pleasant route uphill. clothing is optional. Maximum 20 guests allowed in area at a time. Bugs just a minor problem, in spots along the trail. Not bad (yet) in camp.