Denny Creek & Franklin Falls, 2018

Denny Creek trail sign

Bob went on a long 10.5 mile hike to Summerland in Mt. Rainier Park with two other Happy Hikers early in the week and left me home.  That was a hike he really wanted to do and I am not ready (and may never be?) to go that far or make that much elevation gain.  Friday the two of us went on a shorter hike to Denny Creek past the water slide and up to Keekwulee Falls and then back to the car and on to Franklin Falls.  Total it was about a 4.5 to 5 miles with 1000 ft of vertical gain.  

 Above and below, the water slide at Denny Creek.  At other times of the year this would have more water coming down and covering much of the rocks

The water level is low at this time of late summer and the long Denny Creek water slide rock was mostly dry.  The trail condition up to the water slide was good but became very rocky the closer we got to Keekwulee Falls.  The falls have a Chinook name that means, “to fall down” in English. 
 

Looking up at the westbound I-90 freeway about 100 ft above the trail

 Two views of Keekwulee Falls

Upper Keekwulee Falls

The Denny Creek trail is in the forest but goes under the I-90 freeway in one place so there is some road traffic noise but other sections of the trail are quiet.  Beyond the water slide the trail goes up a rough open scree rock slide section where the walking was more difficult but we enjoyed great views of the hills and canyon.  

 Some views from the trail up to Keekwulee falls

Parts of the trail between the falls and the water slide were extremely rocky and somewhat hazardous.  Both of us were using trekking poles on the way down but even so I had a small fall on loose rocks.  There was not much in the way of wildlife, a few chipmunks, a caterpillar and bird song.  

Fuzzy caterpillar--the animal (?) of the day

 It is a little early in the season but we are starting to see fall colors now, mostly vine maples with their small delicate leaves turning brilliant reds and oranges.  Most of the flowers are gone but some of the berries are out.

 Red berries on the Devil's Club

 Bunchberry berries

Mountain ash with berries

 Recently downed tree

Broadleaf maple turning to fall color

 Smaller vine maples turning color

Marsh marigold blooming near Franklin falls

After returning to the car and eating something we drove down a little way and took the short cut trail to Franklin Falls. 

 The last little way down to the falls.  The steps down to the falls have been much improved.

The falls

As hoped for a rainbow at the bottom of the falls

At the upper left part of the westbound I-90 freeway can be seen.

The count:  47 people including 5 babies in carriers or being carried, 10 dogs