Denny Creek, 6 miles, 2/16/08
I had heard that Franklin Falls below Snoqualmie Pass can be enchanting in the wintertime - with ice covered canyon walls from the spray of the waterfall. This is a sweet little hike during the warmer months that has in the past been an easy stretch of the legs on a sunny afternoon. This would be my 1st trip in the heart of winter when the snows lay deep on the forest floor. My sister tagged along with me hoping for a relaxing day in the trees and snow.
A forest sure can look different between the seasons - dense undergrowth is covered by snow creating a deceptively open environment to explore. But after a while all the trees can look startlingly similar and someone not watching their direction could easily get turned around and lost. Branches that stretch out far above your head will often wetly smack a person in the face as they're weaving through the trunks. And so it went as we left the snow-covered road to tromp to the canyon and waterfall - weave through trees, dodge the snow and rain laden branches.
We paused several times to watch as the creek rushed past us seemingly bouncing off rocks and fallen logs. Icicles formed on the canyon walls as the upper part of the creek cut through the hill. We reached the spot where the trail normally heads down into the canyon to the base of the waterfall, however, we found that at this time of year the way is too steep to safely descend so after a little deliberation, we turned around to find a spot for our snacks and warming hot apple cider.
Even under the canopy of trees, we were not protected against the lightly falling rain and soon resumed our journey back to the car. We met a few other people along the way, but generally enjoyed the solitude a rainy day can give you. The only sounds were the muffled engines from nearby I-90 as skiers raced off the the pass and our sniffling noses.
I had heard that Franklin Falls below Snoqualmie Pass can be enchanting in the wintertime - with ice covered canyon walls from the spray of the waterfall. This is a sweet little hike during the warmer months that has in the past been an easy stretch of the legs on a sunny afternoon. This would be my 1st trip in the heart of winter when the snows lay deep on the forest floor. My sister tagged along with me hoping for a relaxing day in the trees and snow.
A forest sure can look different between the seasons - dense undergrowth is covered by snow creating a deceptively open environment to explore. But after a while all the trees can look startlingly similar and someone not watching their direction could easily get turned around and lost. Branches that stretch out far above your head will often wetly smack a person in the face as they're weaving through the trunks. And so it went as we left the snow-covered road to tromp to the canyon and waterfall - weave through trees, dodge the snow and rain laden branches.
We paused several times to watch as the creek rushed past us seemingly bouncing off rocks and fallen logs. Icicles formed on the canyon walls as the upper part of the creek cut through the hill. We reached the spot where the trail normally heads down into the canyon to the base of the waterfall, however, we found that at this time of year the way is too steep to safely descend so after a little deliberation, we turned around to find a spot for our snacks and warming hot apple cider.
Even under the canopy of trees, we were not protected against the lightly falling rain and soon resumed our journey back to the car. We met a few other people along the way, but generally enjoyed the solitude a rainy day can give you. The only sounds were the muffled engines from nearby I-90 as skiers raced off the the pass and our sniffling noses.
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