7 Family-Friendly Hikes Along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
Photo:
The beautiful Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail. Credit: Jennifer Johnson
Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail
This trail follows the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River up the valley for several miles. Park at the large Middle Fork Trailhead (shortly before the campground), cross the Gateway Bridge, then turn left. Immediately you’ll have views of craggy Garfield Mountain. The trail mostly stays away from the river as it travels through mossy forest. At 0.75 miles, you’ll cross under the sheer cliffs of Stegosaurus Butte. Between one and two miles there has been a reroute away from the riverbed, as a landslide took out the trail. There you’ll find some short switchbacks and the majority of your elevation gain. Small streams are generally easy to cross. Enjoy the peace and quiet of this river valley, as you’re far from roads. An offshoot leads down to some campsites around 4.5 miles (you will need to use bear-safe food storage if you camp here).
Kids will love: Mossy trees, fungi, little streams
Parents should know: This can be a muddy hike. You may share the trail with mountain bikes on odd-numbered days from June through October. You need a Northwest Forest Pass to park. There is an outhouse at the trailhead, but it’s often out of toilet paper.
Next trail: CCC Road Trail
