Winter Hike to Franklin Falls
Location: Snoqualmie Pass, Washington (~53 minute drive from Seattle)
Distance: 2 miles (Add 5 miles for road snow closure)
Elevation: 367 feet
Route Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Time of Year: Winter (February 18, 2019)
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes or Snow spikes
Highly Trafficked
It definitely has been difficult lately to choose a trail or place to hike and explore this winter due to the large amount of snow Washington has gotten this winter which has led to road closures to trails and high avalanche risks. But this trail was a perfect one (other than the road closure to the trail). Quite honestly, it was better that the road was closed – we definitely needed the extra mileage to burn off all of the food we had been consuming hibernating and hiding away from all the ice and snow in the city.
WARNING: The main road that leads to Franklin Falls trail was closed due to snow closure. Be sure to check AllTrails or WTA for updates on the closure. Take Exit 47 and park near the road closure and walk the closed road to the trail (which adds an extra 5 miles roundtrip). We would suggest getting there early AND having snow spikes for the icy conditions– we arrived at noon and it was packed! We can only imagine how packed it gets in the warmer months!
The amount of people, kiddos, and cars lined up by the road to do this trail seemed disappointing and that there wasn’t going to be much room on the trail – but it definitely gets better and more serene. We promise! The hike along the road closure was snowy and beautiful! We recommend you have either snow spikes or snowshoes for this hike in the winter. It definitely is icy and slippery most of the way. But if you have snow spikes it is a literal breeze! The roadway to the trail was pretty crowded, so expect to be around and pass by quite a few people. But once you get to the main trail it really quiets down and it seemed like we had the whole trail to ourselves most of the time!
The trail skirts along the Snoqualmie River, which was adorned with beautiful cabins and pine trees. A magical winter wonderland. The snow was gently falling and the sound of the babbling river filled our ears. The trail becomes very narrow at some points, so be careful when pulling over to the side to let other people pass by, the snow sinkholes can be deep and dangerous! Be on the lookout on your hike out to the falls for the most beautiful red cabin there ever was. We have been dying to get a shot of this magical cabin. And it did not disappoint.
The trail seemed to be gradually uphill almost the whole way, so be ready to work a bit for your end view! We definitely were feeling the burn – and the extra work to trek through the snow probably made it a little bit harder. But 367 feet of elevation is not bad at all, tons of children and adults of all ages were on the trail. Heck, parents were even towing their little ones behind them on sleds (lucky kiddos)!
Once we got to the falls it was packed! But in a good way. We think one of our favorite parts about this trail was seeing so many passionate outdoor enthusiasts just like us enjoying this magical winter wonderland. Sleds and snowshoes, and microspikes and ICE CLIMBERS (yes ice climbers)! Sure, it might seem better to have the whole place to yourself – but it was incredible to see the amount of people that braved the cold and ice just like us to enjoy the beautiful view. So go out and enjoy this magical winter wonderland before it all melts away!
