Trip Report
Day Hike - Big Creek Falls & Otter Falls
A gradual incline up an old logging road in the beauty of winter.
Michelle Peterson
- Sun, Jan 7, 2024
- Day Hike - Big Creek Falls & Otter Falls
- Taylor River
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Interestingly, the WTA has not updated the driving directions to this trail. The road in, the pit toilet, the trail are all in very good shape. There are some stream crossings that this time of year a very manageable with waterproof boots and trekking poles.
We headed out from the Snoqualmie Lake Trail head shortly after 8 AM, spirits lifted that the rain and snow had just let up. At first the route was bare, then there was some snow, then a pretty consistent blanket of 1-3 inches. It was all easy to hike in.
Intermittent stream crossings were accomplished by staying in the shallow parts, crossing on the rocks. We stopped for a break at the Marten Lake outlet stream crossing. (We noticed tracks heading up through the forest for Marten Lake.)
Otter Falls trail was marked with a wooden trail sign and a doggie bag hanging off the sign. We tramped up through the woods, led by Tom who was very familiar with the route. Just at the final descent to the lake below the falls, some stopped to don microspikes. The falls were just so lovely, the lake covered in slush.
Back on the main trail, Big Creek Falls was just a short jaunt further up the route. 2 hours almost exactly from leaving the trailhead, we arrived at the bridge over the Creek. John cleared the snow from the bridge's curb, we sat, ate lunch then gathered for a group photo.
We make quick work of trekking back to the trailhead, with one mini-break back at the Marten Creek crossing. Circling up, we all agreed we were very lucky with the weather, that the group pace had been efficient but comfortable. 10 miles with a side trip to Otter Falls and a 20 minute lunch break in 5-1/2 hrs.
