Hike of the Week: Valley sparkles with scenery and solitude

Gold Creek is an unusual hike that combines the best of valley hiking with high-country splendor. The trail is near Snoqualmie Pass and served as a popular route to Joe and Alaska lakes. Though the trail is not abandoned, it lost its popularity when the Pacific Crest Trail was built, providing easier access to the lakes.

The trail follows Gold Creek to the head of the valley and, while it is not a popular route today, it still is described in hiking guides.


	The engineering skills of busy beavers can be seen in several places along the Gold Creek Trail just east of Snoqualmie Pass. KAREN SYKES

The first three miles are in good condition, though signage is poor. The valley provides views of Rampart Ridge on the east side and the trail is a pleasure to walk as it alternates between forest and open areas. Two waterfalls plummet from Rampart Ridge and add to the magic.

The Gold Creek Trail (No. 1314) has many delights -- naturalists will appreciate the beaver dams, and the flowers are too many to list. For an easy backpack, this trail is ideal as it is only three miles and 200 feet elevation gain to a pretty campsite near Gold Creek. Climbers and strong hikers with scrambling skills can get to several peaks from the valley.

The first section of the trail poses no major challenges until the crossing of Gold Creek at three miles. The valley has been logged, but forest is returning. On a hot day, patches of forest offer cooling respites and there are several streams in which you can replenish your water or soak your feet (most of the small streams have footbridges).

In about 1 1/2 miles, the trail enters the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and a stream at two miles may get your boots wet until late summer. You also can take a short detour -- hike upstream (through brush) a few paces to a handy log for an easy crossing.

At about 2.5 miles, the first of several beaver dams can be seen. Just past the dams is an unmarked junction. If you take the right fork, you will have to wade a deep puddle. The left fork is a detour that avoids the puddle, and the two trails rejoin. The trail soon descends to gravel bars, and at about three miles the trail leaves the final gravel bar and leads to the campsite. The campsite is in a grove of old-growth evergreens and is shady and cool.

Beyond the campsite, the trail continues a short distance, then descends to Gold Creek. This will be far enough for most hikers; crossing Gold Creek is challenging and can be downright hazardous when the water level is high.

Strong hikers can continue to Alaska Lake or Joe Lake but must ford Gold Creek, and we saw a couple of possibilities for getting across the stream. The main trail continues on a short distance beyond the camp before it abruptly descends to Gold Creek, and you can spot the trail resuming on the other side. There is another potential crossing just before the campsite that may be easier. Where the trail leaves the gravel bar to reach the campsite, look for a flagged footlog and a braided channel where the water is more shallow.

Hikers continuing to the lakes also will have to ford Silver Creek on the west side of Gold Creek (about a half-mile beyond the Gold Creek crossing). At 4 1/2 miles, cross Alaska Creek and, in a short distance, the trail comes to an unmarked trail junction (3,100 feet) near the head of the valley. Here there are views of Alta Mountain and Chikamin Peak. Trail No. 1314.1 to the west (left) climbs to Alaska Lake at 4,200 feet, gaining more than 1,000 feet in a mile. The trail to the right leads to Joe Lake at 4,624 feet, gaining about 1,400 feet in 1.7 miles. According to recent reports, the trail to Joe Lake is difficult and not maintained. The Forest Service maintains the Gold Creek Trail to the junction; maintenance beyond the junction is by volunteers. Hikers with cross-country skills may be able to make a loop out of the Joe and Alaska lakes hike.

If you go...

GETTING THERE: From Snoqualmie Pass on InterstateI- 90, continue east two miles and get off at Hyak Exit No. 54. Continue right on the frontage road (marked signed Gold Creek) on the north side of the highway. Cross Gold Creek and in about a mile turn left on Road No. (4832) 142. Continue about 1/2 mile to a signed road junction. Go straight (road is marked signed Gold Creek). and a road marker reads No. 144. The road to the left goes to Gold Creek Pond and a picnic area. Drive a rough mile past cabins to a gated road and trailhead sign (right). There is a small parking area on the left, elevation 2,600 feet. Pick up a wilderness-use permit at the trailhead (there is a registration box). However, the trail does not begin here. Hike the gated road (an easement granted by property owners), pass private driveways and cabins to the end of the road (about 1/4 mile) and look for an obvious trail and two posts where the trailhead sign used to be. Avoid the side -road on the right - it is not the trail.

TRAIL DATA: To the crossing at Gold Creek it is about 6 miles round trip, 200 feet elevation gain. Round trip to Alaska Lake is 11 miles, 1,600 feet elevation gain. The map is Green Trails No. 207 Snoqualmie Pass. The trailhead may be moved to Gold Creek Pond in the future. The hike is described in �55 Hikes Aaround Snoqualmie Pass� by Harvey Manning and Ira Spring (Mountaineers, 189 pages, $14.95). For more information about the trail and access, call the Snoqualmie Ranger District (North Bend office) at 425-888-1421.

Karen Sykes is a Queen Anne resident and avid hiker who has been traveling Northwest trails for 20 years. She is the author of "Hidden Hikes in Western Washington."

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