Kendall Katwalk — Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

This was a hot dry summer day, and water was non-existent after about the 2nd mile. The lesson was to bring more water than you think you need, and to ration it carefully. Thanks to all the WTA volunteers for the trail maintenance. I started at about 11:30am, and the trailhead lot was full. Temperature was in the mid-80s. By that time, there already were people coming out of the trail, meaning that by the time I got past the flank of Kendall Peak, about 2/3 of the way to the Katwalk, I had the place pretty much to myself. I took my time on the way up, but hoofed-it quickly on the way out - just at sunset (~8:30pm) The wildflowers were awesome, and at their peak. Everything from lupine to monkshoods to paintbrush to bluebells. The corn lilies already had long stalks and were just about to bloom. Lots of columbine and tiger lilies out in the open, which surprised me because I associate those with being near streams. Other than the heat and the water of this particular day, it doesn't get any better than this. If you want to show your summer out-of-town visitors a spectacular and iconic Northwest hike, take them here. Start early and be prepared - it's a long (11 mile RT) one.