WESTERN WASHINGTON

Summary

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Rainy weather couldn’t quite hold us back from exploring the great outdoors. We have rain gear for a reason. Off to trek through the woods and visit a waterfall, squelching shoes and all.

Trail Stats

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Trail Details

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Day three of our backpacking adventure started out as expected. Wet. The forecast had called for a 92% chance of rain. We were 100% getting rained on. It would rain off and on all day, alternating between the typical Seattle drizzle and flat out raining. Bummer, but not shocking.

Because of this wet onslaught, we revised our plans for the day. We originally thought we’d hike out to Kaleetan Lake. To get there we would have to head back toward Tuscohatchie Lake, through all that overgrown mess on the trail. We’d read that the path to Kaleetan Lake was in even more overgrown. We briefly pondered what to do but ultimately determined even if we trekked out to Kaleetan we would not see it properly. We were sitting in a cloud bank. Mists obscured the walls surrounding Melakwa Lake. We were dubious that Kaleetan would be better. So. On to plan B. We’d hike down to the Franklin Falls trailhead and visit the waterfall as a day trip from Melakwa Lake. The trail to get there is well maintained and in good shape. Plus, Doug loves waterfalls.

Decisions made, we packed our day packs and headed out. The rain wasn’t going to hold us back today! Walked around the lake and headed for the main trail at the south end of Melakwa Lake. Continued across the outlet and into the woods. When we reached the split in the trail, we headed left for Denny Creek. We had hiked in on the other trail the day prior.

For a little bit the trail gradually takes you upward. There are quite a few stone steps mixed in on the path. Passed several massive trees through here.

The trail takes you down a brief gentle slope. A sea of salmon berries surrounds the trail. Then come the switchbacks where our downward progression became more rapid. Went through a large rock field and passed over a small creek with a little waterfall. There are quite a few open areas on the trail. On a clear day, the views from here should be splendid. As our weather was less than ideal, we saw the landscape shrouded in mists. Pretty in its own way.

As we made our way down a rocky section, we saw a couple ladies day hiking up and stepped aside for them. Uphill hikers have the right of way after all. I thought they had seen us. Apparently not, as the leader was rather shocked when she looked up and we were suddenly right there. Nothing quite like scaring the dickens out of someone first thing in the morning. Our bad. Perhaps we should have waved our arms about and hooted like owls? Course, then they might have been more frightened… depends.

After a while you’ll hit the “bottom” of this section of trail where you’ll find a bridge over a creek. Makes for a very simple crossing.

The trail then makes a sharp left and you’re transported to the next hillside. You’ll head upward for a heartbeat before heading down once again. There are switchbacks here. We passed a pretty nice waterfall. It was either Snowshoe or Keekwulee Falls, not certain which it actually was. After the waterfall, it’s more downhill. There are open areas to pass through. Again, views are better on a nicer day.

Eventually we made it to the ever popular “slide” on Denny creek. This is a smooth area of bedrock that has natural chutes into pools of water. Apparently it’s a popular destination during the summer. We’ve only ever seen it in less than ideal swimming weather. This rainy and cold hiking day and one snowy October day a few years ago. Not so surprisingly there were no water slide partakers today.

To cross the slide’s waters, there were a pile of logs conveniently jammed into a makeshift bridge. Then it’s a few steps up the embankment before you’re once again headed down hill.

The funny thing about this hike is walking under the freeway. I90 towers above you on massive pillars. It’s fascinating to look up at. You can clearly see the expansion joints holding the segments together. In a way it seems surreal. Like something out of an old Star Wars movie. As if a fuzzy Ewok might appear out of the woods at any moment. A sense likely enhanced by the mists and general dreariness of the day.

Continuing on, there’s another bridge crossing. You can look back at the freeway from here. Then it’s meandering up and down through the woods for a bit. This is an easy breezy section of trail. Very family friendly.

The trail pops you out at the closed Denny Creek trailhead parking area. To note, services here are closed. Potty and trash bins are locked up tight. I presume this is all because the parking area here is tiny. The Franklin Falls parking area is much larger and only about 0.25 miles down the road.

To get there, head down the gravel road. You’ll pass by some homes. Keep going to the closed vehicle bridge. The river is quite lovely from here. For the record, the Franklin Falls services are open, though I suspect seasonally.

The trail for Franklin Falls is directly to the left after crossing the vehicle bridge. You can’t miss it. This is the most over the top family friendly trail I’ve ever been on. A very wide and well maintained path. There are frequent railings along the path. Even in places that absolutely do not need them. It’s a whooping 1 mile to the falls from the trailhead.

First you’ll pass by some random houses nestled in the woods while walking alongside the South Fork Snoqualmie River. There are some rather nice river access points down here. Then the trail heads up. There are plenty of “stairs” to climb as you ascend.

A little ways in, there’s a small viewing area built next to the trail overlooking a small waterfall. Then the trail heads up again. You’ll pass directly by a road. There’s no parking allowed along here so no cheating and parking closer.

Continue on your way up. There’s a split in the trail, stay straight for the falls. Heading right will take you onto Wagon trail. No falls there.

Shortly after this the trail dives down to the falls. There are some rock steps to descend. At the bottom you’ll have to walk across a large slab of rock. The falls are directly before you. They look like a waterfall. I don’t know, I’m not a waterfall girl. Doug says they’re pretty impressive. You can see the freeway towering in the air off to the side. Regardless of my general disregard for waterfalls, I still snapped a few photos and then called it good.

We headed back down the trail and found a nice spot by the river for lunch. It was a nice pause and the weather held out for us. No rain and even a bit of sunshine down here. It would not last but we soaked in the relative warmth and dryness greedily.

After lunch, it was back to the trail. Exit Franklin Falls trail and back onto the Denny Creek trail. Except this time we were headed up, not down. Up, up and away we went. For a while the weather cooperated for us. We were briefly hopeful. In the end it began to colossally rain on us and we were flat out wet. With the onslaught of rain, our moods drifted from happy camper to grumpy trudgers.

To make matters worse, our tent was nearly in a puddle. We moved our tent in a straight up downpour. To a slightly less wet site. We pulled out and re-pounded the tent stakes in with numb and frozen fingers. Which resulted in muddy hands. Which we washed off in the very chilly creek. Brr to say the least.

The problem with the Lake Melakwa designated camp sites is that they are all garbage if it rains. All become muddy messes with the constant onslaught of water. Our site was made all the worse by all the water sloughing off our tent. While our new spot developed a puddle as well, it never came nearly as close to the tent base as the first site did.

Next up was the challenge of getting in the tent. We were dripping rain water ourselves. It became a contortionists’ act to slip under the rainfly, take off a coat and rain pants before getting into the tent. All with chattering teeth and painfully cold fingers. Took a while to warm up to say the least. While we eventually re emerged into the great outdoors for dinner, we made it quick and then dove back into the confines of the tent. Much drier in there.

We debated briefly on what to do the next day. We technically had two days we could spend out here. The forecast for both was dismal at best. Earlier in the day (when we were still relatively dry) we thought we’d certainly stay out longer. Now, damp and cold our decision became crystal clear. We would pack up and pack out tomorrow. Two days in the rain would be enough. Decision made, we called it an early night and fell asleep to the sounds of wind and rain. Peaceful sounds when you’re curled up in the warmth of a sleeping bag.

As a hike, this trail has a decent amount to offer. Waterfalls, scenic views into the surrounding mountains and an alpine lake. It’s a great day trip, granted most people start from the Franklin Falls trailhead. The trail is in excellent condition. Even with the lousy weather, there were plenty of people on the trails. If you aren’t willing to go out in the rain while living in the greater Seattle area you’ll never go outside. That was the motto we lived by when we resided in the general area. Inclement weather does not stop people in Seattle. At least not rain. Snow is another matter entirely.

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