hoppock20

The Snoqualmie Falls website says that the hiking trail is closed until 2013. I had planned on taking a trip to see the falls, but am now questioning whether renting a car and driving out there is worth it. I will be visiting in late August.

1. Is there any other way to get to the base of the falls?

2. Is it still worth it to go?

3. Can I get any decent photographs of the falls from the observation deck above?

Thanks for your help.

happytrailstoyou

The view from the top is good, and it is the only view 99.99% of those who visit the falls ever see.

There is only one way to get to the base of the falls.

Only you can know if it is worth your time and money to rent a car and drive to the falls. There are many photos of the falls on the internet, including these: http://www.snoqualmiefalls.com/cgi-b...view_records=1

In your situation, I would rent a car and drive to Mt. Rainier, where you can see a spectacular mountain and several waterfalls, including Narada: http://www.mymaps.com/nwfalls/mr/toc.htm

Or, I would drive to the Olympic Peninsula for views of falls such as Marymere and Sol Duc: http://www.olympicpeninsulawaterfalltrail.com/

Enjoy,

HTTY

NWWanderer

personally i don't think it's worth hiking to the bottom even when the trail is open. so imo it's no big deal that it's closed so i wouldn't change plans because of it. if you think it's worth it to go see the falls, it's worth it with the trail closed, imo.

christy1

There actually is a trail to the bottom on the other side of the river, but it's on land owned by the Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater. It's sort of a membership park, so members can walk on the trail. If your heart is set on getting to the bottom you might contact them and see if they sell day passes.
http://www.foresttheater.org/

Gardyloo

3. Can I get any decent photographs of the falls from the observation deck above?

Absolutely, or from the fenced path below the observation deck that leads to the (closed) trail. Last time I was there (6 weeks ago?) the observation deck itself was closed for repairs but the view from the path was just fine. I imagine the deck has re-opened by now.

As I mentioned in some other thread, by late August the flow of water over the falls will be quite a lot less than earlier, owing to snow melt having subsided. They're still impressive, just not awesome like they are in April/May/June. The same applies more or less to most Pacific NW waterfalls.

hoppock20

I will definitely still go then! Thanks for the help.

I had planned on going to Seattle in late April, early May, but a co-worker of mine from Seattle talked me into visiting later in the year. So, expect a trip report from me in early September.

christy1

Good thing you listened to your coworker, since we had terrible weather all spring and it was still snowing consistantly in the mountains in June!

If you are into photography and waterfalls, I like HappyTrails advice of taking that car to Rainier and visiting Narada and others (Comet Falls and Spray Falls are wonderful and easy hikes).