Big Creek and Otter Falls 5-26-12

Saturday was a great day for a nice long hike!  Dave and I took Adventure Dog up to Snoqualmie and did the Big Creek & Otter Falls hike.  With two amazing waterfalls, plus the typical beautiful Northwest scenery, and very little elevation gain, it’s one everyone should get out and try!

A lot of the trail winds along the Snoqualmie River, a lovely sight and sound to accompany a hike.   The trail is crossed over and over with streams of varying sizes as well, each of which have their own little falls.

We saw this little squirrel hanging out along the trail.  It looked like something had happened to his tail.  Near the end it was missing fur and then the very end had a tuft on it.  Cute little guy.

At around the 5 mile mark, you step out of the woods and the trail, which used to be a logging road, crosses a large road-grade bridge.  It seems so out of place now, but behind it, cascading down a huge rock face is Big Creek Falls.  I caught Cedar on the bridge looking up at the falls.  I love that he enjoys the beautiful views on the hikes we do.

After viewing Big Creek Falls and getting chilled by the breeze coming down the waterfall, we went back along the trail to look for a place for a picnic lunch.  We followed a side trail down to the river and enjoyed some sunshine while we had sandwiches and snacks.  Cedar munched on some grass for dessert.

I got a picture of these water skeeters and we headed back to the main trail.

Heading back toward the trailhead we saw an arrow made of rocks pointing up a slope into the trees.  I don’t like to argue with rocks- they are much older than I am.  So up we went…. And found the biggest falls!  I had not seen them before since they are off the main trail a bit.  Otter Falls also cascades down a rock wall, and apparently what we saw was just the bottom third of a 1600 ft waterfall!  I want to go back and see the top part!

Happy hiking!