Franklin Falls- 7/20/2011

Beginning of the Hike!

Wrote our names in the trail log book in case we got lost!

Denny Creek

Beautiful Franklin Falls!

Approximately 70ft tall waterfall results in some quite a bit of spray!

Carolyn's idea of hiking shoes.....The new Vibram Five Fingers! I  prefer to know my feet will end up staying dry an well protected.... so I'm not about to give up hiking boots just yet!

View near the I-90 corridor

Even in mid July there is still snow on the mountains!

Beautiful Foxglove

 Today, my friend Carolyn  and I took a short hike up to Franklin Falls. It was a perfect hike to ease myself back into activity after my wrist and hand surgery. Franklin Falls trail is a wide and user-friendly 2 mile round trip hike. It follows the Denny Creek through lush forest with occasional viewing of Road No. 58. The trail is wide and user-friendly. A note of caution when making the final descent to the falls, the path is narrow and cut into rock which becomes very slippery when wet. In odd juxtaposition to the waterfall is the I-90 bridge, though the waterfall is compelling enough that most hikers will not be distracted by the freeway noise.

Driving Directions: From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 47 (Asahel Curtis/Denny Creek). Turn left over the overpass and proceed to a T. Turn right and travel 0.25 mile to Denny Creek Road (Forest Road 58). Turn left and drive 3 miles, passing the Denny Creek Campground. Just past the camp-ground, turn left onto FR 5830 and park before crossing the bridge.

East Peak, Rattlesnake Mtn: 7/16/2011

Well, I  know I have been a little behind on my blogging but I haven't done many hikes since my hand/wrist surgery on June 17th. Although I did enjoy recooperating from surgery in Germany during the FIFA Women's World Cup.....Congratulations to the USA on their second place win!!

Today my friend Scott and I finally hiked up to East Peak! Not even the soggy wet typical Pacific Northwest weather would keep us home.

It was a wet  foggy day!

Scott at Rattlesnake Ledge.

Fog from up top the ledge!

Me!

Our view from East Peak......maybe someday I'll actually get to see the view. 

Perfect spot for lunch.

Headed home!

If you've hiked to Rattlesnake Ledges and beyond from Rattlesnake Lake, this is a delightful alternative. The East Peak of the mountain is a 4 mile (one way) climb from the Rattlesnake Ledge Trailhead located at the eastern end of Rattlesnake Lake.  The summit is at 3527 feet while the trailhead is at about 950 feet, so you are looking at almost 2500 feet of elevation gain. Unfortunately for us fog was the only view we saw, but it was still an enjoyable hike.

Driving Directions: To Snoqualmie Point Park: take I-90 east to Exit 27. At the end of the off-ramp, go right and follow the road to the end. Go through the gate on the right to enter the trailhead. Straight ahead is a separate parking area for Snoqualmie Point.

To Rattlesnake Lake: take I-90 to Exit 32. Go south on 436th Ave. SE, turning into Cedar Falls Rd. SE - follow this main road 3.1 miles to the parking area for Rattlesnake Lake. To reach the trail follow an old roadbed that circles the lake to the right (as you look at it).