Fall Colors in the Mountains to Sound Greenway
Suggestions from the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust
The Mountains to Sound Greenway, which stretches along the I-90 Corridor from Seattle to Ellensburg, weaves together urban and wild areas, including the 15th largest metropolis in the United States, 900,000 acres of public land, and 100,000 acres of permanent private forests. It was officially designated a National Heritage Area in 2019. Fall is the perfect time to explore this scenic corridor, although it is well worth a trip any time of year.
Garfield Ledges. Photo credit: Peter Stevens.
Start your day on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, a 32-mile gravel trail on an old railroad right of way that runs from Fall City all the way to Rattlesnake Lake. Learn about the railroad that once ran along this route and the history of transportation in the region at the interpretive center at the Snoqualmie Depot or the Railway Interpretive Center & Museum between Snoqualmie and North Bend. If you are feeling hungry, consider stopping at Buckshot Honey, a BBQ joint that uses fresh local ingredients and offers vegan and vegetarian options, or Snoqualmie Falls Brewery. Both places offer locally sourced ingredients and outdoor seating so you can enjoy the fall weather while enjoying the best local beer and food. A great nature stop near Snoqualmie is the Three Forks Natural Area, which offers more than 200 acres of open space at the confluence of the three forks of the Snoqualmie River. This site offers great views of Mt. Si, paths for walking, and even an off-leash dog park if your companion wants the opportunity to run free.
Fall colors on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. Photo credit: Ian Dewar Photography.
End your day in the pristine beauty of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley. This wilderness playground, close to Seattle and yet a world away, is made up of several recreation areas: King County’s Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Area, the Department of Natural Resource’s Middle Fork Snoqualmie National Resource Conservation Area (NRCA) and the Mt. Si NRCA, and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fly fishing, camping, picnicking, and playing in the river. Start at the Granite Creek Trailhead and hike the Granite Creek Trail or the Granite Creek Connector Trail. These opportunities, on a mixture of King County and DNR lands, were developed in a cooperation between the DNR and Mountains to Sound Greenway, which has been working with partners to develop new recreation opportunities in this area. Up the road you will find three parking areas in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest—NW Forest Pass required. At the Oxbow Loop Trailhead, you can enjoy a 1.8-mile loop offering commanding views of the sweeping river meander and summits of the Alpine Lake Wilderness. Stop and enjoy the river at Camp Brown, a new picnic area on a bend of the Snoqualmie River that offers an accessible trail and facilities. The Garfield Ledges Trailhead provides access to the short Garfield Ledges Trail (0.5 mi) and the longer Snoqualmie Lake Trail (9.7 mi), which heads into Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
