Basic Snowshoe - Franklin Falls

• 7:30am North Bend parking lot in front now-closed Chase Bank. Here we will consolidate carpools.

TRIP DESCRIPTION - This is an out-and-back trip. Underneath the I-90 overpass on SR906, we will put on our snowshoes and snowshoe northward on SR906 roadside snowbanks toward the summertime entrance to the parking lot for Commonwealth Basin. (There is plenty of snow here.) About 150' further past this entrance and on the opposite side of SR906 is Denny Creek Road.  To get to Denny Creek Road, we will cross SR906. (SR 906 may be bare or may be snow/ice covered.) Denny Creek Road is closed in the winter and is expected to be snow covered, except where it crosses under I-90.  (Denny Creek Rd underneath the I-90 overpass may not be snow covered.) We will follow Denny Creek Road to the cutoff to Franklin Falls. Denny Creek Rd has little tree cover. After the cutoff, the trail to Franklin Falls is in the forest.  The last 100 feet or so before reaching the Falls can be steep and on a hillside slant. Good traction here will prevent sliding into the river below.

If you have microspikes and willing to carry them; then, bring them. If you want to switch from snowshoes to microspikes, the group can pause ... but keep in mind that it will be quite cold and not advisable to stand around for more than a few minutes.