Day Hike - Taylor River

We will meet  at 8:30 am at the North Bend Safeway parking lot close to the tall Safeway/O'Reilly Auto Parts/Chase Bank sign in the parking lot. It's close to I-90 exit 31.

Here we will be consolidating cars.  A Northwest Forest Pass  will be needed for those driving to the trailhead

Directions to Trailhead: From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 34. Turn left onto 468th Street and follow it about 0.3 miles to the junction with the signed Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road. From here it is 12.1 miles to the trailhead for Taylor River.

Turn right and head up the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road. Where the road forks, stay right on the Lake Dorothy road to the Snoqualmie Lake trailhead

We will follow the Taylor River trail through old growth forest about 5 miles to Big Creek Falls, and have lunch, then take a side trip to see Otter Falls/Lipsy lake on the way back.  Taylor River - Otter Falls — Washington Trails Association (wta.org)

Not much elevation gain, but a longer total hiking distance rates this as a moderate/strenuous hike but will go at a moderate pace with plenty of rest breaks as needed.  Bring lunch and plenty of water and dress in layers. There are several stream crossings, so hiking poles and waterproof boots are strongly recommended. 

For safety we will all hike as a group so please assess beforehand whether this distance/elevation gain/pace will suit you before registering.

My goals, expectations and style for this trip are:

Goals:

For participants to complete the planned itinerary successfully

For participants to have a safe (physical and emotional) and positive experience

For participants to contribute to the formation of a compatible Mountaineers group and to enjoy the companionship of others in the outdoors

To foster an appreciation and sense of awe for our natural world

Expectations:

Pace:  Everyone is expected to be able to maintain a 1.75-2 mph pace, with allowances for steeper sections or difficult terrain.

Behavior:  Everyone is expected to behave in a kind, courteous and respectful manner to everyone and everything (nature/land) during the trip, including low impact, leave-no-trace practice.  Participants are expected to not engage in any high-risk taking activities.  Everyone is expected to have a positive attitude and a willingness to be flexible.

Preparedness:  Everyone is expected to come prepared for this trip (physical conditioning/skills, 10 essentials, gear and clothing, map/route, food/water)

Communication:  Everyone is expected to fully read all pre-trip communications from the leader, to participate in group decision-making on the trail, and be willing to abide by the leader’s final decision.  I expect participants to communicate in a positive solution-oriented manner assuming the best intent of fellow participants and leader, to be willing to pro-actively communicate any concerns, illness/injury or other issues during the trip and take responsibility for their self-care.

Leader style: 

I am adventurous, curious and love to be “awed” by Nature.  As a leader, I tend to the quieter side and my style is more relaxed.   I consider hiking as nature therapy and love to revel in the beauty of nature with frequent stops for picture-taking, flowers, critters, geology, culture and views along the way.  I value the journey as much as the destination and strive to foster hiking as a wholistic experience (body, soul, spirit).