We decided to do this trail since Sally had not been up it yet and when I hiked it a few weeks ago, it was all cloudy with no good views. Today was much better. We parked in the Gateway Bridge parking lot and hiked the Middle Fork Connector Trail over to the start of the Garfield Ledges Trail. This way you get our leg muscles warmed up before starting the up hill trail. About 50 yards up the GL trail is a big crack that looks like an earthquake fault line, but is probably from rain water runoff. Just at the top of the last set of steps we took the side trail over to the lower ledge view point where we could see down the Middle Fork Valley. We could see Cedar Butte in the distance. After getting to the last switchback in the trail we had a view northwest up the Quartz Creek Valley. Quartz Mtn. can be seen to the left, Rooster Mtn. on the right, with Paper Boy Peak and Peak 4651 in the back ground. Then it is about 1/4 mile to the upper ledge view point and a good place for lunch. Since this is a new trail, it is in good shape.
We had a good view down the Middle Fork Valley with the Taylor River down below us. To the south we could see Preacher Mtn. and Stegosaurus Butte. Down the Middle Fork Valley are several more mountains to see. In the distance we could see Rattlesnake Mtn. and Cedar Butte. As we were finishing our lunch a young couple with a baby showed up and we had a nice chat about hiking. When we got back down to the steps we met two more hikers heading up. So no big crowds on this trail yet. After getting back down to the Garfield Ledges parking lot, we hiked across the Taylor River bridge and did a hike on the Middle Fork Campground nature trail. Then went through the campground and took the CCC Trail back to the Gateway Bridge parking lot where we had started out hike. This adds some mileage to the Garfield Ledges hike. So checkout this new trail up to the viewpoints on the Garfield Ledges.
Comments
hikingGranNan on Garfield Ledges, Middle Fork Connector Trail
The wta.org website doesn't provide driving directions. My friend and I want to explore Oxbow Lake and then go to Garfield Ledges. Is it the same road? Where is Gateway Bridge parking lot?
Posted by:
hikingGranNan on Oct 27, 2019 01:48 PM
George & Sally on Garfield Ledges, Middle Fork Connector Trail
It would help to have a copy of the Green Trails Map, 174SX, Middle Fork Snoqualmie, Mountains to Sound Greenway. Shows many trails in the Middle Fork Valley. From I-90 take Exit 34 (SE 168th Ave) go under the freeway heading north past the truck plaza. Then turn right on to SE Middle Fork Road. You will go past Twin Falls Middle School. The first trailhead you pass is for the Mailbox Peak Trail. There are several as you drive up the Middle Fork Road. About 2 miles after driving over the Middle Fork Snoq. River on the cement concrete bridge there are two Oxbow Loop Trailheads. Go to the second one with a bigger parking area and rest room.
About another 4 miles passed Oxbow Loop Trail is the larger Gateway Bridge parking lot. Another 1/2 mile you cross the Taylor Bridge (end of the paved road) and reach the Garfield Ledges parking lot. The Middle Fork Connector trail that we hiked takes off from the NE corner of the Gateway Bridge parking lot (not shown on the GT map). George
Posted by:
George & Sally on Oct 27, 2019 04:19 PM
hikingGranNan on Garfield Ledges, Middle Fork Connector Trail
Thank you!!!!!!
Posted by:
hikingGranNan on Oct 27, 2019 06:19 PM
nevertoolate on Garfield Ledges, Middle Fork Connector Trail
Did you track your route with Gaia or AllTrails? I would love to take Rick up here and not as familiar with the trails to get some of the views. Thanks from Rick and Elly!
Posted by:
nevertoolate on Nov 30, 2019 10:55 AM
George & Sally on Garfield Ledges, Middle Fork Connector Trail
Elly, No, I did not do any "tracking", as this is a simple hike. I gave directions on the note above. The Garfield Ledges trail takes off behind the restroom at the Garfield Ledges parking lot. George
Posted by:
George & Sally on Nov 30, 2019 01:10 PM