Middle Fork Snoqualmie, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Trailhead, Middle Fork Snoqualmie

 

We have hiked here several times.  It is a short walk from the trailhead to the bridge.  Once across the bridge the trail branches right and left.   

 

 

 

There was slide activity on the left hand, #1003 Middle Fork, trail beginning in 2019 and the next few times we came that side was closed and we went on the right hand, 1035 Pratt River Connector, trail instead.  This time the trail work on the Middle Fork side had been completed and the slide area had been stabilized.  It was open again and we decided to see what, if any, changes or improvement had been made.  This trail is open to bikes, hikers, and horses. 

 

 

 

We did not have a specific scenic view point or destination in mind but planned to hike for about 2 hours, find a nice place to take a break and then return to the car.  The original plan was about 4.5 miles RT.  Part of the new section of the trail is posted as narrow and steep. 

 

 

 

 When we got to the top of the posted steep section it was obvious that the trail led down in with an equally steep slope.  Nearing our 2-hour time and realizing that we would have to go steeply down and then back steeply up and steeply down again we decided to stop and make the crest our turn around place.  Going down can sometimes be more taxing than going up for legs and knees.  It was the correct choice for us as senior hikers.

 

 

 

Bleeding Heart

Fiddlehead fern

Salmon berry

 

 

Trillium

Indian Plum

 

 

Yellow stream violet

Coltsfoot

Skunk Cabbage

It is still colder than usual for this time of year, hence not too many things in bloom.  We saw skunk cabbage, salmon berry, Indian plum, trillium, bleeding heart, yellow violets, fiddlehead fern, star flower, and coltsfoot.  A fair number of trees had come down but had been cleared off the trail.  Lots of muddy spots, a little patch of snow, rocks and roots in places.  We both used trekking poles for part of the way.  Unfortunately, the cool weather did not deter the bugs.  I ended up with two applications of bug spray and even Bob, who is not usually bothered as much as I am, got a dose of repellent spray too.

 

 

Cairn

 

Once back at the trailhead we took a side branch trail toward the river, found a picnic table with a view, and had our lunch.  Some of the kids and adults we saw as we were returning also ended up at the riverside.  The kids built a couple of cairns.  This one was pretty impressive. 

 

 

Small patch of snow

 

 Mud

 

A daily fee of $10 or the Forest Service Pass is required.  It was not raining the day we were here but it had been raining off and on for several days.  The trail was quite muddy in several places.  In addition to the section posted as narrow and steep it is rocky and narrow near the beginning of the route alongside the river. 

 

Count for the day:  23 hikers including 12 kids, 1 dog