Oxbow Loop, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

Oxbow Loop sign by larger parking area

 

This was not a good snow season for us.  Most cross-country ski areas opened late and closed or stopped grooming early, hence we did not get out as many times as desired.  Bob was able to do some downhill skiing at Snoqualmie using his new skis.  But we hung up the skis and got out the boots and packs a little sooner than expected. 

 

For the past few years, we have hiked the Oxbow Loop first as a warm up hike.  It is an easy approximately 2-mile hike located on the road to the main Middle Fork Snoqualmie trailhead.  There are two places to park, one by the junction where the loop connects, and the other larger space by the outhouse.  There is a short connector trail from the larger lot to the loop junction. 

 

It is still a little too early for most flowers but we saw a few.  There were hundreds, if not thousands, of coltsfoot plants along the roadside ditch and around the parking areas.  It is an interesting flower that starts out like a ball with distinct pink and white colors.

 

  

Coltsfoot just beginning to bloom

 

As the flower opens and matures it changes to a much larger head that is mostly white.

 

 

  

Coltsfoot in full bloom

 

A view of the river from the connector trail between the parking area and where the loop trail begins.

 

 

View of the river

 

We saw some Indian plum and a few salmon berry blossoms.

 

 

Indian Plum 

 

Salmon berry

 

Here and there we also spotted the small yellow stream violets.

 

  

Yellow stream violet

 

Most of the trees are covered in heavy moss just like those in the Olympic Rain Forest.

 

 

 

 

Moss covered tree

 

  

About half-way around the loop is a bridge with this view

 

 

Downed branch with fungi

 

 

The trail is in good condition.  Although there are several trees and branches down along the route, the trail is clear all the way round.  It is packed dirt and gravel but also has one spot that looks like water damage or erosion.

 

 

  

What looks like water erosion on the trail

 

What else did we see?  

 

 Elk hoof prints with the tip of my boot for size comparison

 

 A pair of hooded mergansers.  Later we also saw a pair of mallard ducks.

 

 

Garter snake slithering into the leaves
 

   

We also encountered two garter snakes along the way.  They are harmless and very shy.  We rarely see them when hiking.  The first one was gone almost before we saw it.  This one had been coiled up at the base of a tree trunk.  Our movement must have startled it and it was moving fast by the time I got the camera out. Looking very closely you can see its head mostly hidden in the leaves with the tail rapidly following. 

 

 A cool sunny day, perfect for walking in the woods.  There is a branch of the trail that goes down to the river bank that we always visit too.  

 

Count for the day:

1 person, 1 dog

RT, 2 miles

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