Snoqualmie Lake

Snoqualmie Lake 1002

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May 10, 2003 Update

Ranger's Report

Weather

Road Condition

Distance:

9.5 miles one way

Hiking Time:

4 hours

Trailhead Elevation:

1200 ft

Elevation Gain:

2800 ft

Season:

June - October

Difficulty:

Moderate

Rating:

Best - Very Good - Good - Fair

Use:

Moderate

Users:

Hikers, bikers (5.7 miles)

Region:

Snoqualmie Ranger District

Maps:

USGS Lake Philippa & Snoqualmie Lake
Snoqualmie Ranger District Map
Printable Topo Map

Permits:

Northwest Forest Pass is required
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Regulations

Driving Directions:

From Seattle take I-90 East to Exit 34. Turn left at the Stop. In 0.6 mile turn right onto SE Middle Fork Road (#56). Continue for 12.2 miles (gravel road starts in 2.5 miles) to the junction after bridge crossing. Road #56 turns right, but you should go straight on Taylor River Road for another 0.4 mile to the gate. Trailhead is at the gate before Taylor River bridge.

Trailhead:

Good parking, cross the bridge to get to the campsites on the other side of the river, no toilets.

Trail:

June 20, 2000

For 5.5 miles with little elevation gain the trail follows Taylor River Road along Taylor River. Going through dense forest you can see river only in a beginning of the trail, but there are several pretty waterfalls along the trail. In 2.3 miles the trail reaches wooden bridge over Marten Creek. About 150 feet before the bridge Marten Creek Trail # 1006 goes to the left. A little way up the creek before the bridge there is a small waterfall . In about 1.5 miles up the trail there is a wash-out with a big metal pipe showing up. Right after this place on the left side there is a campsite and in about another 200 feet turning to the left a trail goes to Otter Falls and Lipsy Lake.

This short trail gradually climbs through the woods and reaches the lake with a small campsite near it in 0.1 mile. You will like this place with waterfall streaming down the high rocky wall into a small lake .

In 0.7 mile after the turn to Lipsy Lake the trail comes to a cement bridge over Big Creek. There is another waterfall there . About another 40 feet after the bridge turning to the left a trail leads to Dream Lake.

In another mile the trail turns to the left to Snoqualmie Lake. The road continues further straight for about 0.2 mile to the river and Nordrum Lake #1004 trailhead. The trail to Snoqualmie Lake is rough, with washouts and water on the trail.Gradually climbing through the woods the trail brings you to a waterfall near the lake. This big and beautiful lake is mostly free of snow at this time . There are several campsites along the trail.

The trail continues along the north side of the lake and then steeply climbs up the slope to Deer Lake for about 1 mile. There are several snow patches on this part of the trail. Deer Lake is about 75% frozen . There is lots of snow around the lake, but the trail is easy to see. There is one campsite that is free of snow on the north side of the lake.

In another 0.7 mile up the trail there is Bear Lake. It is about 90% frozen with lots of snow around the lake .

From Bear Lake the trail climbs up the ridge (solid snow at this time) where it meets with Dorothy Lake Trail # 1072. Over the ridge about 300 feet down a trail to Dorothy Lake is snow free.