The Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest is a massive federal park that is accessed using the Northwest Forest Pass. If you are headed to the Pacific Northwest you really need to pick one up. We had planned to do the Middle Fork out and back trail but we found out it was closed due to a land-slide.
Getting to the park from the Seattle area takes about an hour but most of it felt like it was in the park. You actually go through a WA state park to go there and if you want to stop there be sure to have a Discover Pass. So many passes! Parking is ample at the trail head but it fills up quickly.
Right off the parking lot is a beautiful arch walking bridge over the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie river. Here is where we saw the signs about the trail closure. We ignored the signs initially but suddenly realized we’d forgotten to display the pass in our car. The second time out we decided not to tempt fate and take a right where the Pratt River Trail starts. The trail is 12.2 miles which is longer than we are currently capable of – Gonna work on that.
After the bridge the trail follows the river and has some very nice views and water features. The trail was muddy and small patches of snow were visible. Bring some good boots so your feet don’t get soaked. After hiking for two miles we turned around and came back. Overall the trail was less crowded than expected with the weather being as nice as it was.
Gorgeous!