Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Tr1003

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Hiking

The Area Topo Map shows the Garfield Mountain hiking trails, easily accessible from FR56.

From FR56, Rock Creek Tr1013.1 crosses Middle Fork Snoqualmie Tr1003 at the 8mi mark, then switchbacks through the steep, rocky Rock Creek drainage to Snow Lake, at the intersection with High Lakes Tr1012 and Snow Lake Tr1013. There is enough cliff exposure and otherwise challenging terrain to make this a technical hike.

Many hikers ascend Snow Lake Tr1013, continuing on High Lakes Tr1012 to Gem Lake, so expect a lot of day hikers on that route. When approached from I-90, at the top of the ridge above Snow Lake there is a large rock outcropping which is a popular destination for day hikers. High Lakes Tr1012 gets less use between Gem and Wildcat lake, so an extended hike offers more solitude.

Beyond FR56, Dutch Miller Gap Tr1030 ascends to the 'Dutch Miller Gap' saddle at the forest boundary with Wenatchee NF, then becomes Dutch Miller Gap Tr1362 and continues to the PCT. The trail offers a spectacular view of the Bears Breast Mountain and Summit Chief Peak, with Williams Lake Tr1030.1 and Lake Ivanhoe spurs.

Dingford Creek Tr1005 ascends alongside the creek to Myrtle Lake, with a Hester Lake Tr1005.1 spur leading to that lake, on a bench near the Mount Price peak. Hester lake has several campsites.

The rough FR5630 doubletrack leads to Snoqualmie Lake Tr1002, passing the unmaintained Honey Lake Tr1263 and Marten Lake Tr1006 spurs along the way. Snoqualmie Lake Tr1002 passes Deer and Bear lakes before turning into Dorothy Lake Tr1072, with a Nordrum Lake Tr1004 spur. Snoqualmie Lake and Dorothy Lake are two of the largest lakes in the area, with ample fishing and camp sites. Marten Lake Tr1006 is often overgrown with brush and mostly used for lake fishing.

To the south, Pratt River Tr1035 / Pratt Lake Tr1007 connects to Denny Lake Tr1011 / Denny Creek Tr1014, for either a gradual Pratt river valley hike or something much more challenging starting from I-90.

The too-accessible (but popular with families) Talapus Lake Tr1039 accesses Talapus and Olallie Lakes. As with all of the I-90 trails, expect a lot of day hikers.

The 2.8mi Granite Mountain Tr1016 offers a steady 3100' ascent, which leads to one of the last operational lookout towers in the forest, so just imagine the view...

A Denny Creek CG hike, Denny Creek Tr1014 passes Keekwulee and Snowshoe Falls between the Denny and Low mountains, before ascending to Hemlock Pass then descending to the Melakwa Lake basin and Denny Lake Tr1011. Bedrock slabs create a natural waterslide in Denny creek.

A narrow trail with some cliff exposure, Kaleetan Lake Tr1010 is a well established spur which wanders away from the congested areas of the Pratt and Melakwa lakes.