Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley

This area is a PNW classic - rugged, remote, and wild.  Most of the trail is under heavy canopy, and never strays too far from the river.  Don't expect a lot of high-elevation views or wildflower meadows here; expect giant, old-growth trees, ferns, streams, dense evergreen forest, roots, sketchy creek crossings, a natural hot springs geyser shooting up right next to the trail, and a possible velociraptor or yeti sighting - it's always an adventure on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie!

How to Find It

• I-90 Eastbound to Exit 34.
• Turn left off the exit, cross the highway, pass major truck stop.
• Road will curve left. About 0.5mi from freeway, turn right onto SE Middle Fork Rd. (Set odometer to zero.)
• Road splits after less than 1.0mi. After about a mile this turns into Forest Road #56.
• After 5.0mi on MF Rd, you'll cross a major bridge. At 9.5mi you'll pass the entries to the CCC Road and CCC Trail. After about 11.5mi, look for the Forest Service trailhead parking lot on the right. Turn in and park. If you get to a major T intersection, you've gone too far.
• To park at the Dingford Creek trailhead, keep going on FR56 for 6.1 miles until you come to the gate across the road and the Dingford TH.

You'll need a NW Forest Pass.

Typical Conditions

Some of the trail is clay, and after substantial rain those areas are slick and susceptible to damage. The wood bridges are slick like ice when wet. It's best to ride somewhere else when it has recently rained hard, and let the trail dry out for a few days.

Be prepared for a lot of dismounting even in the best of conditions due to numerous punchy little climbs.

If you go east past the Dingford Creek TH junction, be prepared to make a number of stream crossings (some significant) by fording.

Check the Forest Service Web Page.

Local Points of Interest

Goldmyer Hot Springs is a nice, privately run, natural hot springs. Reservations are advisable, particularly on the weekends.

Turn by Turn

There aren't really any turns in the trail.

Places where hints may be helpful:

Dutch Miller Gap: If you are climbing the road instead of the trail, you will see the start of the trail dropping down to your right. If you go 1/4 mile further, the road opens up to a scenic old campground right along the river.

Near Goldmyer: If you're riding downstream, once you get to the Goldmyer bridge, stay to the right. You'll have to ford Burntboot Creek. 7-31-10 nice foot logs make crossing easy.

Near Dingford: When you're getting close to Dingford, don't miss the signed split in the trail; you can bypass the Dingford bridge & TH altogether if you stay on the high side, or go down to the bridge.

FR-56 and the trail connect in four places: At the main trailhead ("Middle Fork TH") (bridge); at the Dingford Creek trailhead (bridge); near Goldmyer hot springs (bridge); at the upper trailhead (near Dutch Miller Gap). The road is gated and closed to motor vehicles at the Dingford Trailhead. 

You can do this trail in a number of ways:

1. Ride out-and-back, as far as you want. (max 14mi x2)
2. Park at Dingford Creek trailhead, ride past gate up road to Middle Fork Trail 1003, come down trail to Dingford Creek crossing (don't miss the Dingford trail instersection to get back to car!) 17 miles. This is a great route if you're not in for a full epic.

Not sure how to ride it your first time? If you want a shorter ride, start at the lower trailhead and do and out-and-back as far as you feel comfortable. If you want a full epic, do the whole thing as an out-and-back. This is serious ride that will take most riders 5 hours (or more). If you want a strenuous ride, but enjoyable by most mortals, park at Dingford, ride up the road, and descend the trail. Do this last version as an out-and-back to step it up a notch.

If you go all the way to the upper TH it's well worth going the extra few hundred yards to the DMG TH, great lunch spot by the river. Some deluxe camp sites with grills too.