Little Ranger Peak

Our Hiking Time: 2h 30m
Total Ascent: 1500ft
Highest Point: 3900ft
Total Distance: 5.5 miles
Location: N 47° 1.8660, W 121° 31.7520
Required Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Difficulty: Moderate

Once again finding ourselves a little tight on time, we headed back out to 410 for a short hike up to a prominence known as Little Ranger Peak. Drawn to the promise of an expansive view of the White River Valley we packed up hoping the weather would be in a cooperative mood by the time we got to the top.

The Ranger Creek Trail # 1197 is a moderately popular hiking and biking trail that connects the White River Trail #1199 with the Dalles Ridge Trail #1173. The trail begins right off of 410, but road noise is soon replaced with the sound of rushing waters of Ranger Creek. Within a few minutes you will find the Ranger Creek trail junction leading up the mountainside and into stands of old growth. The moss is thick, clinging to the firs and cedars, fed by the streams the often run across the trail. Occasional glimpses of the valley can be seen as you slowly climb up long and gentle switchbacks.

At just under three miles the trail plateaus and a very short spur trail leads out to Little Ranger Peak. A quick scramble leads out to an open rocky area and commanding views of the White River Valley. Mt. Rainier looks close enough to touch. Take in the steep cliffs, exposed ridgelines, and White River carving a swath through a sea of evergreens. The nearby runway is the Ranger Creek Airstrip. The nearly 3000ft runway sees a lot of air traffic in the summer, for both private aircraft and as a hub for search and rescue operations.

From here, you can turn around and call it a day or continue onward for another two miles to the Ranger Creek Shelter, a three-sided log shelter built by Boy Scouts a number of years ago. Still want some more mileage? A little over a mile beyond the shelter the trail connects with the Dalles Ridge Trail which is reportedly an excellent ridgewalk on a sunny day.

With its gentle grade and quick rewards, take this little hike up to a rocky prominence if you’re short on time. Be aware that you may be sharing the trail with mountain bikers and be prepared to give them a little room – the trail is much more challenging on a bike! And, as a word of caution, clambering all the way out to the viewpoint can be dangerous, especially if the rocks are slick with moisture. Use caution if you decide to risk the scramble.

To get there, take I-5 south to Highway 18 Exit 142A. Follow Highway 18 into Auburn and take the SR 164 exit. Head left on SR 164 through Enumclaw to SR 410. Head left onto SR 410 and continue to milepost 54 and the Buck Creek Recreation Area. Take a right over the bridge to find parking. Gear up and hike back out to 410, crossing the highway, either hiking straight up the hill side or a few hundred yards west to the junction with the White River Trail. -Nathan
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Hex Mountain via Sasse Mountain Trail #1302

Our Hiking Time: 2h 30m
Total Ascent: 1500ft
Highest Point: 5030ft
Total Distance: 5 miles
Location: N 47° 19.2600, W 121° 3.8760
Required Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Difficulty: Moderate

This week, the forecast predicted the type of clear and sunny day that just begs for a summit hike. With so many nearby mountaintops still covered in snow, we decided to head out over Snoqualmie Pass hoping to avoid another snowshoe. Luckily, our hunch panned out – snows have retreated much further on the east side of the mountains, and our hike up Hex Mountain was almost snow-free.

Hex Mountain is one of many prominences along the ridges surrounding Cle Elum Lake. In 1886 the Northern Pacific Railway built a station near a newly platted township, dubbing it “Clealum.” The name was an anglicization of “tie-el-lum,” the name local tribes had given to a nearby river, meaning “swift water.” The town incorporated in 1902 as Clealum, but six years later changed it to the now familiar Cle Elum. Eventually this name was applied to both the river and the lake. In 1933, the Cle Elum Dam was built to better control the water levels in Cle Elum Lake, ensuring a steady irrigation supply in the summer.

The trail begins with a hike up a rise overlooking Cle Elum Lake, a decent preview of the panoramas to come. The dusty path continues through grassy clearings born when the area was logged years ago, climbing small ridges and descending down the other side. Occasionally, the trail cuts across one of the many logging roads that pervade the area. Thankfully, the maze of roads and trails is sign-posted at every intersection to minimize confusion.

Continue onward and upward to the nearly treeless summit to take in views in every direction. Directly across the lake a series of peaks runs from the east with Mt. Baldy to Thomas Mountain, ending with North Peak at the west end of the lake. Beyond North Peak you can pick out Thorpe Mountain, Red Mountain, and eventually Mt. Rainier. To the west are Sasse and Jolly Mountain. As you turn northward, Elbow Peak and Yellow Hill make up the two ends of the closest ridgeline. To the east the Cascade foothills quickly level out into the flat expanses of eastern Washington. Pick your favorite view and settle in for a snack.

Hex Mountain is a popular snowshoe destination, beginning from State Route 903 in the winter and winding three-and-a-half steep miles up the mountainside. While the hike is less grueling in the summer, many hikers avoid it later in the season as parts of the trail open up to motorcycle traffic. While this can be a significant deterrent for some, a mid-week hike minimizes your chances of encountering motorcyclists. And even if you are forced to endure the noise, as we were, it’s likely only for a few minutes before the smell of gas dissipates and the sounds of the forest return. Moreover, motorcycles are not allowed all the way up the trail, allowing you some respite near the summit.

Short and rewarding, this is a great hike to take your reluctant hiking friends on. The trail is in great shape and not at all rough, with only one small blowdown along the way. The elevation gain might be little strenuous for some – about 600ft per mile – but should be approachable for most. And the views will be enough to placate any complaints. As an added bonus, the motorcycles do a decent job of keeping other hikers at bay – don’t expect too much company on this one. Ideally, hit this one during the work week to dodge the motorized traffic.

To get there, take I-90 to Exit 80. Head left over the freeway following Bullfrog Road to SR 903. Follow 903 for 10 miles through Roslyn and along Cle Elum Lake to FR 4305 (about 1/4 mile before the Wish-poosh Campground). Turn right into FR 4305 and follow for a half-mile to the first intersection. Veer left and continue on FR 4305 for another mile, watching for a sign pointing left to Sasse Mountain. From here it is another mile to the end of the road and the trailhead. –Nathan


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Myrtle Lake via Dingford Creek Trail #1005

Our Hiking Time: 6h 45m
Total Ascent: 2400ft
Highest Point: 3800ft
Total Distance: 10 miles
Location: N 47° 32.842, W 121° 22.958
Required Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Difficulty: Moderate

This week we returned to the Middle Fork Valley to take on a hike that has been on our list for years – Myrtle Lake via the Dingford Creek Trail. After our recent Rock Creek experience, we wanted to make sure we made it to our destination. We geared up for deep snow and headed up to the lake.

Myrtle Lake is the more popular of the trail’s two major destinations, the other being Hester Lake. Frequented mostly by backpackers and fishermen, the lakes don’t see a great deal of traffic. This is probably because, in addition to the trailhead’s relatively remote location, FR 56 is subject to intermittent-and-frequent-enough-to-frustrate closures at the Taylor River - which adds another ten miles to the hike. This portion of FR 56 is slated to close for repairs this summer. Maybe these will make the trailhead more accessible in years to come.

The Dingford Creek Trail begins steeply, following Dingford Creek. The first mile is for the most part rocky switchbacks that eventually yield to a gentler grade upon entering the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Here the second growth forest, replaced by older stands of fir and cedar, deepens, and begins to feel wilder. At three miles, the trail forks. The right branch leads out to Hester Lake, so continue to the left for Myrtle. Although we’ve not yet tried our hand at the Hester Lake Trail, it is reportedly rough as well as notoriously marshy.


Past the junction, you’ll cross a couple of major streams flowing down from various small lakes tucked into the hills above the creek basin. The grade continues to ease as you approach Myrtle, eventually depositing you on the shores of the shallow lake. On a clear day, Big Snow Mountain looms above, an impressive backdrop to a typical alpine lake. There are a few comfortable camping sites here, making it an ideal base camp for exploring the sprawling lake country above.

If you’re one of those heading on to explore, a faint path continues along the lakeshore and switchbacks up for about a mile to Little Myrtle Lake. From here, there is cross-country access to the Arthurian-inspired Merlin, Le Fay and Nimue Lakes to the west, and to Big Snow Lake to the east. Or, you could just climb a little higher to a pass above Little Myrtle Lake to get some views of Lake Dorothy far below.

The snow made this hike a little more difficult for us than it would be after the melt. However, the trail more than makes up for it – rushing waters, open valleys, deep forests are all here. It’s easy to see why some hikers are so fond of this trail. With all the effort it takes to get to the lake, we recommend this more as an overnight than a day hike. After 18 miles of pot-holed forest road, and nearly 2400ft in elevation gain, there isn’t much energy left to explore all the other nearby hidden vistas and lakes. Save this one for your first backpack of the season.

To get there, take Exit 34 off I-90 and take a left on 468th Ave. Follow the road past the truck stop for about a half-mile until you reach SE Middle Fork Road, also known as Forest Road 56. Continue to follow the twists in the road until the pavement runs out. Continue on FR 56 for 12 miles, crossing the Taylor River. Once across, FR 56 veers to the right while the Taylor River Road continues another quarter mile to the Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead. Veer right and continue for about five miles to the Dingford Creek Trailhead. -Nathan

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Rock Creek Trail #1013.1

Our Hiking Time: 6h 20m
Total Ascent: 2800ft
Highest Point: 4100ft
Total Distance: 12.5 miles
Location: N 47° 29.3580, W 121° 26.3120
Required Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Difficulty: Hard

Last year, on our hike out to Goldmyer Hot Springs, we passed by an intriguing side trail signed “Rock Creek.” We made a mental note of the rough-looking spur and with warming temperatures and the re-opening of the Dingford Creek Road we returned to investigate.

During the early 20th century, the Rock Creek Trail served as a link between the Snow Lake mining claims and the bustling timber industry of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley. As the mines closed and the timber interests moved on, hikers and backpackers took their place. The Rock Creek Trail was once part of the Cascade Crest Trail, a regional predecessor of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). When PCT trailblazers blasted a more efficient route into the side of a mountain – now known as Kendall Katwalk – the Rock Creek route was largely abandoned. Today, the trail has become a road less traveled, with relatively few visitors every year.

From the Dingford Creek Trailhead, drop down and cross the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, before joining up with the Middle Fork Trail. The trail follows the river through second growth forests with only a few short bursts of elevation. Cross Wildcat Creek and eventually join up with the old railroad grade which that will carry you almost all the way to Rock Creek. The grade over the creek washed out long ago, forcing a short detour downstream to cross the creek and rejoin the grade on the other side. Here, after three and a half miles, find the signed junction to the Rock Creek Trail 1013.1.

The hike now begins in earnest. The trail is steep, rough, and rocky. It steadily climbs up the creek basin in a long series of tight switchbacks. As you gain elevation, you slowly enter old growth forest, complete with massive firs and hemlocks. Cross mossy talus fields while taking in views of Mt. Garfield’s sprawling granite faces. Hop across numerous streamlets that cut across your path as you continue your uphill battle into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and eventually to the impressive Rock Creek Falls. Watch as waters flow out of Snow Lake and cascade almost 1200ft down to the basin.

Or, so we’re told. Our trek up to the falls was a bit premature, as deep snows forced us to turn back a half-mile from our destination. On the other hand, most hikers report that by the time full summer hits, the trail becomes a little overgrown, and often requires some bushwhacking to get to the falls. Either way, reaching one of the largest waterfalls in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is going to take some effort. As for us, we’re planning on visiting Rock Creek Falls as part of a hike out to Gem Lake sometime in the coming months.

This is not an easy hike, though it is a great alternative approach to Snow Lake that exchanges the crowds for an impressive waterfall. But this route doesn’t get a lot of traffic, and it shows – the trail is rough, narrow, and overgrown. You’ll definitely want to bring the gaiters and some hiking poles on this one. However, if solitude is what you’re after, this trail comes highly recommended.

To get there, take Exit 34 off I-90 and take a left on 468th Ave. Follow the road past the truck stop for about a half-mile until you reach SE Middle Fork Road, also known as Forest Road 56. Continue to follow the twists in the road until the pavement runs out. Continue on FR 56 for 12 miles, crossing the Taylor River. Once across, FR 56 veers to the right while the Taylor River Road continues another quarter mile to the Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead. Veer right and continue for about five miles to the Dingford Creek Trailhead. -Nathan
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Historic Robe Canyon Trail

Our Hiking Time: 2h
Total Ascent: 300ft
Highest Point: 1080ft
Total Distance: 3 miles
Location: N 48° 5.7780, W 121° 51.9000
Required Permit: None
Difficulty: Easy

Unexpectedly nice weekday weather tempted us out to the Mountain Loop Highway and back to Robe Canyon Historic Park for a post-work hike along the Stillaguamish River. We’d already explored the west end of the park and the Lime Kiln, so we decided to start from the other end of the park; following the Old Robe Trail through the historic town site of Robe out to the railroad tunnels.

Robe Canyon Historic Park covers nearly 1000 acres along seven miles of the South Fork Stillaguamish River, and includes the historic Robe town site. The town of Robe was established by Truitt K. Robe in 1892 or 1893 as a lumber and shingle manufacturing center along the newly constructed Everett and Monte Cristo Railway. Robe quickly prospered, and by 1899, the town was producing 75,000 shingles a day. As the town expanded, it could no longer support its nearly 200 citizens, forcing leaders to abandon the original town site and move a few miles downstream to its current location. Although the public has been visiting the Robe town site for decades, the first portions of Robe Canyon Historic Park weren’t purchased until 1995. Over the next six years, the park expanded and the Old Robe Trail – first build by Boy Scouts in the late 1960s – continued to provide access to the river and remnants of Washington’s pioneer past.

Perhaps the trickiest piece of this hike is finding the trailhead, which is literally off the side of the Mountain Loop Highway, with parking limited to the highway’s shoulders. Beyond that hurdle, the trail is perfect for a short walk in the woods. The trail begins through young forest before quickly dropping to the railroad grade on the valley floor. Wander past marshes and swamps beneath mossy alders as you follow the rushing sounds of the Stillaguamish to the riverside. Along the way, you’ll note the lingering traces of Robe – crumbling bricks, twisted pieces of metal and abandoned pieces of lumber.

Eventually, after crossing a few ponds and fording a couple of streams, you’ll reach Robe Canyon and the railroad tracks. Or, at least, the cement impression of the tracks that were once there. Standing mere feet above the swiftly flowing river, the ingenuity it took to ram the tracks down the canyon is almost as impressive as the belief that it could withstand the frequent flooding of the wild Stillaguamish. Use caution if you chose to hike into the canyon. The cement can be extremely slick, and portions are loose or washed out.

The trail is currently closed before the first tunnel because of a recent landslide. For safety’s sake, we recommend most folks do not go beyond this point. Experienced scramblers should still use caution when crossing the slide, as it is still very unstable, and slipping into the fast-moving river at this point could be deadly. Beyond, the trail continues through two tunnels before abruptly ending in another landslide.

We recommend this three-mile jaunt as an after-work hike or just a quick visit to nature. For a short hike, this trail manages to cover a variety of landscapes and is steeped in history. While not at all something you need to break out the compass and gaiters for, it is still a little wilder than Mt. Si or Tiger Mountain.

To get there, take I-5 North to Exit 194. Follow Highway 2 for about two miles. Stay in the left lane and merge onto Lake Stevens Highway 204. Follow for two miles to Highway 9. Take the left onto Highway 9 toward Lake Stevens. In just under two miles, reach Highway 92 to Granite Falls. Take a right and follow for about eight miles to Granite Falls. Proceed through the town to the Mountain Loop Highway following it for six miles. Keep an eye out for cars parked on the right side of the road and a large brick sign across from Green Mountain Road. Park on the shoulder. -Nathan
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