Snoqualmie Falls
 

Two quick questions

1. Approximately how long does the walk to the bottom and back up take for an in shape person who's used to walking?

2. Is there anywhere to grab a quick snack? I went to the Salish Lodge website and all I see are their pricey restaurants.

It doesn't take long but it is VERY steep. I was there with a friend visiting from out-of-town a couple weeks ago. It took maybe 15 mins. or so, 20 coming back up... piece of cake for someone in good shape.

Inside the gift shop there's an espresso stand that had a few snacks. And in the gift shop itself some bags of trail mix, cookies, candy popcorn, a frig with cold drinks towards the back of the store on the right as you enter.

It's easy getting to the base of the falls but it is a steep climb on the return. What is your lung capacity?

There are several places for a snack in the town of Snoqualmie, through which you will pass if you drive to the falls via I-90.

The Salish Lodge is insanely expensive.

It is pricey, and while my first visit, for breakfast about 10 years ago, was swell, the last visit, for lunch about 3 years ago, was lousy. Everything was looking tatty around the edges...

It is exactly as steep going downhill as it is coming back up
;-)

There's also a less expensive restaurant in the lodge--forgot what it's called--but it was nice, but not fancy or as expensive as the main restaurant.

It is as steep going down as coming up, but going down it is not a "steep climb."

HTTY, Well I never SAID it was a "steep climb" going down.

The descent is steep enough and on an uneven dirt path, that it was more difficult for me going down, than coming back up.

We go to Snoqualmie Falls several times a year - there is a lesser-known access to the base of the falls from the hydroelectric power plant. It is a short delightful stroll along the river, much of it on a cantilevered boardwalk.

From Salish Lodge, continue driving on Route 202, past the falls parking area, and down a couple of hairpin turns. Turn left on 372nd Ave. (look for a small 'Fish Hatchery' sign), then left on Fish Hatchery Road. Park in the river-side lot at the end of the road, then walk to the hydroelectric power plant. There is a fenced-in access way along the power plant, then follow the trail the rest of the way to an overlook of the base of the falls. From there, you can walk out along the river to the falls.

Hopefully you have better luck than I did last year there. Was there in June. Complete downpours the day I drove out there from Seattle. Got out of my car then ran to the overlook, took a few pictures and ran back to my car. Still enjoyed the view from up top.

Enjoy your trip

Thanks for all the replies.

I live in the area, so this is a day trip instead of an actual trip. My next trip isn't until spring and I'm suffering from cabin fever, so for the next few months, I'll be playing tourist in my own town.

I finally found a good picture of the path online. It looks like something I can handle. The steepness shouldn't bother me on a walk that short. I'll keep you posted. :)

Thanks for the suggestion of going into one of the nearby towns for lunch. I'd thought of it, but had only planned on spending a couple of hours at the Falls. However, since I'm playing tourist, making a day (or at least afternoon) of it sounds like a better idea. I've never been to the town of Snoqualmie either, so it should be interesting. At least it will be different.

The last time we went to the falls, I had my son and hubbie pick me up by the electric company as mentioned earlier. It's also a shove off place for rafting and a little drinking from the young adult crowd.

I won't make it to the Falls this month as I had planned because the weekend weather has not co-operated and my next two Saturdays are not free. However, things have worked out for the better.

At my company's Christmas luncheon last Friday, I won the grand prize drawing, which is an overnight stay for two at the Salish Lodge, two free spas treatments, and free breakfast. It's only 15 miles from where I live, but it will still be a nice little getaway. And "free" makes almost everything more enjoyable. :)

I have up to a year to use the certificate, but I'll probably use it in the spring because I've heard that the Cascade snow melt makes the Falls big and beautiful that time of year.

Thanks for the update. Enjoy.

WOW, what a fun prize to win! Congratulations, and with this prize, you can enjoy the dinner since the rest won't cost anything, right?

The spa is really nice!