The upper part of Change Creek (from Hall Point to the start (or end) of the Olallie Trail is quite overgrown. Let's be honest. You wouldn't be reading this if you weren't at least a little bit curious. So pack a saw or clippers like I did, and come up and give this trail some love.
I did a clockwise loop starting at the Homestead Valley TH. Hiked east a little way on the Palouse to Cascade Trail. From here the unmarked start of the Change Creek Trail takes off through the brush at the west end of a small concrete RR trestle. At the second switchback, the sign pictured above will be your first assurance that you are on the right trail. The next mile is steep and rough, with frequent good views over the Snoqualmie Valley, and views down to Hall Creek Falls.
After this long mile or more, the short spur trail to Hall Point is reached (good view) and also, thank goodness, the beginning of the old road system upon which the rest of this hike lies. From here on, all trail gradients are far more gentle. Also, the brush starts here, almost entirely alder, so not too unpleasant.
After a while, the trail crosses Change Creek (culverted). A bit beyond, you might see a cutoff trail taking off to the left. Avoid this silly trail, and let it return to nature. Instead continue ahead on the old road bed. The road/trail makes three switchbacks, then in about a mile come to Change Creek again, the creek by now quite small. Here there is another silly cutoff trail to your right, marked "Pond". Avoid it, and instead continue straight, crossing the creek and continuing on the old roadbed. This part of the trail is quite overgrown, but the old roadbed is always obvious underneath it all.
In about twenty minutes (plus time spent sawing or clipping - you know you will!), you come out on a superhighway of a trail. This is the current end of the Ollalie Trail, apparently little used at this point. On good trail now, this climbs high on the north shoulder of Change Peak, the drops down to intersect the Great Wall and Mt. Washington Trails, then out, for a long loop.
I didn't go to either summit of Change Peak or Mt. Washington today. The hike is strenuous enough, especially after spending a couple hours sawing alders. Come up and lend a hand! The reward is solitude (in the Snoqualmie, no less!) and plenty of good views.
Comments