Gold Creek Trail to Alaska Lake — Saturday, Jun. 28, 2014

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

Rain, Rain, Go Away. The forecast was for mostly cloudy with some showers. We got practically continuous rain. The Gold Creek Trail is in good shape from the pond, through the residential area, and on into the wilderness. Just a 1/2 mile or so before the ford over Gold Creek the trail enters a wide clearing with two waterfalls on the bare rock of the south valley wall and trees fallen uphill on the north side of Gold Creek where an avalanche a few years ago knocked them up. Beyond that point things get interesting. After a few switchbacks (thanks WTA) on the far side of this clearing you re-enter the woods and get a few views of Gold Creek. One of these views looks directly at the fallen log that is your best bet for getting across the creek (river) until the flow diminishes later this summer. We hiked to the ford and decided no way. A fall in that cold rushing thigh-high or deeper water on a cold rainy day might be fatal. There is nothing to cross further upstream. Once over Gold Creek we proceeded to bushwack until we found the trail again where it picks up across the ford. It is obvious and in good shape. The next interesting challenge is Silver Creek. It is an easy ford, but the water was mid-calf to knee deep and moving very fast. 10 minutes or so past Silver Creek is the outlet creek from Alaska Lake. there is a good log a few feet upstream and the ford is also very easy if you don't mind wet feet. The end of the maintained trail (junction to Joe Lake or Alaska Lake) is well marked. The trail then ascends very steeply but is not too difficult to follow. Look for the rock cairns where the rock is exposed. When in doubt go up. The lake was still frozen with only a small bit of exposed ground for tents. But we noticed significant ice retreat overnight. It is probably a lovely long day hike in good weather. Tougher as a backpack in the rain.