Taylor River

getting there

Take Exit 34 off of I-90 and turn left onto 468 Ave SE. In a half mile, turn right onto SE Middle Fork Road (Forest Road 56). Drive 12 miles to the Middle Fork Trailhead and then another mile to the Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead (1,100 ft). Road conditions may dictate parking at the Middle Fork Trailhead or along the road to the Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead. 

on the trail

Big Creek Falls (1,750 ft) & Otter Falls (1,750 ft)

10 miles round trip with 650 feet of elevation gain

Hike the Snoqualmie Lake Trail 5 miles to Big Creek Falls, a pretty, tumbling falls that originates from Dream Lake and Pothole Lake. Otter Falls is a side trip just off the trail and 0.25 mile southwest of Big Creek Falls that you don't want to miss. It is not a raging waterfall but the watching the water as it trickles down the granite rock wall to Lipsy Lake is calming and mesmerizing.

Snoqualmie Lake (3,300 ft)

16.5 miles round trip with 2,100 feet of elevation gain

From Big Creek Falls continue on the Snoqualmie Lake Trail. At the trail junction, take the left fork to stay on the Snoqualmie Lake Trail. It's a bit more than a mile to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and then 2.2 miles and 400 feet of elevation gain to Snoqualmie Lake (3,200 ft).

Deer & Bear Lakes (3,600 ft)

19.5 miles round trip with 2,500 feet of elevation gain

From Snoqualmie Lake continue on the trail, first reaching Deer Lake and then Bear Lake. It's about 1.5 miles and 400 feet of elevation gain to Bear Lake.

Nordrum Lake (3,700 ft)

17 miles round trip with 2,600 feet of elevation gain

From Big Creek Falls continue on the Snoqualmie Lake Trail. At the trail junction, take the right fork, the Nordrum Lake Trail. It's a bit more than a mile to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and then 2.5 miles and 900 feet of elevation gain to Nordrum Lake (3,700 ft).

Lake Dorothy (3,050 ft)

25.5 miles round trip with 2,700 feet of elevation gain

From Deer & Bear Lakes continue on the trail to Lake Dorothy. Reach the camp on the east side of Lake Dorothy in 2.9 miles, 200 feet of elevation gain and 750 feet of elevation loss. It's another 0.9 mile and 50 feet of elevation loss to the north end of Lake Dorothy.

Marten Lake

10.4 miles round trip and 1,900 feet of elevation gain

Hike the Snoqualmie Lake Trail for 3.4 miles. Turn left onto the unmaintained Marten Lake Trail. Hike 1.8 miles to the lake.

snowshoe Routes

The route to Big Creek Falls (see above) make s nice snowshoe trip when there's snow. This window is short and, in most years, late December to mid February is the best time to go.

Information for leaders

Scheduling & Permits

• This route allows multiple bookings. Please check scheduled trips listed below in the "Activities" tab to see if there is another group already booked on the same day. Leaders are expected to contact the leader(s) of existing trips to ensure there are no concerns or conflicts, according to The Mountaineers Outdoor Ethics Policy. Please review our Group Size & Multiple Bookings page for guidance.
• As of 2017, the Snoqualmie Ranger District considers Mountaineers trips and courses to be "nominal use". Leaders should print and copy this designation letter to show rangers they may see on trail or carry a digital copy on their phone.

• Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking, Snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing Category: Basic
• Seasons: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Length: 10.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 650 ft
• High Point: 1,750 ft

• Land Manager: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
  Snoqualmie Ranger District (MBSNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 25
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 25