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July
25, 2000
The
trail starts at the Middle Fork Snoqualmie river bridge crossing
 .
After the bridge an old trail leads to the right. It follows the
river for about 3 miles until it meets with the Pratt River Trail
#1035. This route is no longer maintained. The main trail goes to
the left. For some time the trail goes near the river, then enters
the forest and in about 1.5 mile reaches an old railroad grade.
This part of the trail can be muddy after rains. For another 1.5
mile the trail follows the railroad grade going through the woods,
and then comes near the river again. For some time the trail continues
along the river, passes a nice picnic place, and enters the woods
again. In another 2 miles it reaches the bridge over the Cripple
Creek, that flows out of Derrick Lake and Lake
Caroline.
From
the bridge a view of a small waterfall opens up. The trail continues
for another mile to the junction where a short spur leads to the
bridge over the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, Road #56 and Dingford
Creek Trail #1005 trailhead. There are also several campsites
on the other side of the bridge. Another 1.5 miles of the trail
leads through the old grown forest to the bridge over the Wildcat
Creek, that flows out of Wildcat
Lakes.
The
next 1.5 mile leads to junction with Rock
Creek Trail #1013.1. From Wildcat Creek the trail ascends to
the railroad grade, follows it for some time and then descends to
Rock Creek crossing. The trail passes a campsite, reaches the railroad
again and the junction with the Rock Creek Trail, that goes to the
right to Snow Lake.
For
about a mile the trail continues along the railroad until it reaches
Thunder Creek and a campsite near it. There is no bridge there,
so use a log to cross it. The 1.5 mile of the trail leading to Burntboot
Creek is quite brushy at times, with several downed trees. Near
the creek the trail gets lost in a bushes. Do not make an attempt
to ascend along the creek - this is a part of the old PCT route,
that in steep switchbacks ascends to the Red Pass to the junction
with Commonwealth Basin Trail
#1033. It is no longer maintained and not easy to follow. Instead
look for a trail making a sharp left turn towards the creek. To
cross the creek use a log, or use a ford a little way down the creek,
that is marked by stone cairns on the other side. There are several
campsites after the creek crossing.
Immediately
the trail reaches the junction where the right fork leads to Goldmeyer
Hot Springs. The main trail continues straight to the river and
gradually climbing along it, reaches a mineral spring with a pool
.
Water temperature is about 75F. In about 0.5 mile the trail reaches
a bridge over the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. For the last mile
the trail goes in long switchbacks ascending to road #56. There
are several downed trees on this part of the trail. If turn right
on the road in about 0.3 mile you will reach Dutch
Miller Gap Trail #1030 trailhead.
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