How to Discover the New Garfield Ledges Trail: 2024 Guide
Looking for your next hike in Washington State? Consider this hidden gem not far from Seattle: Garfield Ledges near North Bend, Washington. It’s incredibly family, beginner, & dog friendly!
Within just over a 1 mile, the forested trail leads to an overlook with sweeping valley views. So, keep reading for everything you need to know to hike the newly-constructed Garfield Ledges trail.
It’s no secret that Washington is home to countless hiking gems. Hikers come from far and wide for well-loved trails near Seattle like Rattlesnake Ledge, Franklin Falls, or Summit Lake. While certainly beautiful, it’d be a challenge to argue that they’re “hidden” gems.
So, why not try a new hike? Seriously, Garfield Ledges trail is new! In fact, it opened in the fall of 2019.
Notably, it was the region’s very first major trail constructed 100% supported by private donations.
Thank you to the U.S. Forest Service, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, Washington Trails Association volunteers, and all donors for creating a trail we can cherish for years to come!
The best part? It’s only 1 hour from the city! So, it’s ideal for squeezing in after work. (You know those days you and your dogs can’t wait to stretch your legs..)
Without a doubt, it’s a true hidden gem. So let’s go responsibly explore it!
Discover the New Garfield Ledges Hike in 2023
What to Know Before Hiking
Since you will not have cell phone service in this area, make sure you’re prepared ahead of time! First, go ahead and screenshot the following information to refer back to. There are signs indicating where cell services ends, and we found this to be accurate.
- Leave No Trace: As with any natural area, please visit with care. Whenever possible, leave the land better than you found it. You can do this by following the 7 Leave No Trace Principles, including respecting wildlife and disposing of waste safely. Learn more here.
- Distance: Prepare for 2.2 miles roundtrip & 830′ elevation gain. While short, it does have a consistent gain throughout!
- Location: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Driving Directions: From Seattle, hop on 1-90 and exit 34 for 468th Ave SE. Next, Turn right onto SE Middle Fork Road (This is also the route to Mailbox Peak). Lastly, continue onto NF-5600 for 9.8 miles until you reach the trailhead. Note that landslides are not uncommon, so please check road status before heading out.
- When to Visit: Best in late spring to early fall
- Pro Tip: You can catch beautiful sunsets from the top. Because this is a relatively short hike, I recommend this for anyone who many not feel comfortable hiking back in the dark. (This is me haha). We did this, and reached the car with quite a bit of daylight left.
- Road Conditions: About .5 miles from the Garfield Ledges trailhead, you’ll reach the unpaved part of the drive. For reference, you should know that the roughest part lies on the far side of the bridge over the Taylor River. While there are large potholes, it is manageable. Want to play it safe? You can park on the South side of the bridge. Then, walk over the bridge and past the picnic area and you’ll see restrooms indicating where the trailhead is.
- Parking: Ample along the Forest Service Road
- Pass Needed: Northwest Forest (included in America the Beautiful)
- Restrooms: 2 vault toilets at the trailhead
- Garbage Disposal: 2 bear safe garbage cans beside the restrooms
- Picnic Area: At the trailhead, there are ~10 picnic tables along the river for day use. We loved winding down here with a snack after after hiking.
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What to Expect While Hiking Garfield Ledges Trail
As soon as you start hiking, you’ll begin climbing. Because of the short length of this hike, expect the climb to continue most of the way.
Right away, you’ll step into a second growth forest of Western Hemlock and Big Leaf Maple trees.
Between the trees, ferns, and moss, it’s impossible not to be impressed by all the green!
In the fall and winter, these relatively young trees are prone to blowdowns. Visiting in April, we noticed large piles of blowdowns that trail crews had cleared from the trail.
Besides length, this trail is also well-suited for kids, dogs, & beginner hikers because it is not technical. In other words, the surface of the trail is pretty smooth — largely free of rocks and roots which can require constant attention to navigate safely.
As you hike, enjoy calming sounds of the Taylor River and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers.
At ~0.5 mile, you’ll see a viewpoint that previews the views to come. Stop here to catch your breath and hydrate!
As soon as you see an interpretive sign, you’ve made it to the top!
Be sure to keep kids and dogs near you, as the drop off here is steep.
Prepare for the valley to open its welcoming arms. You’ll look down on trees and mountains, like Preacher Mountain and Stegosaurus Butte, for as far as you can see.
Finally, keep an eye out for where the Taylor and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers meet. It’s incredible to see from this perspective!
Other Outdoor Activities to do in Middle Fork Snoqualmie
Want to spend more than a day in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie area? There’s plenty to see, so it’s a great weekend getaway from Seattle, Bellevue, or Tacoma.
Hikes in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Area
- Mailbox Peak (difficult) 9.4 mi, 4000′ elevation gain
- Oxbow Loop Trail (easy) 1.8 mi, 56′ elevation gain
- Granite Lakes (moderate) 8.8 mi, 2270′ elevation gain
- CCC Upper Trailhead (easy) 6.8 mi, 400′ elevation gain
- Middle Fork Snoqualmie (moderate) 12 mi, 1650′ elevation gain
Day Use Areas
Note: The following places require a Discover Pass. Purchase online from REI here.
- Champion Beach – river access
- Mine Creek Day Use Area – river access & picnic tables
- Russian Butte – kayaking & picnicking
- The Gateway (suspension) Bridge at Middle Fork Snoqualmie over emerald waters
Click here to view the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ guide to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Conservation Area.
Where to Stay Near Garfield Ledges
Because this area is pretty remote, there aren’t any hotels. So, your best option is to camp! In my opinion, Middle Fork Campground is the best spot to sleep under the stars.
What to Know About Middle Fork Campground
- Type: Managed by the US Forest Service
- 2022 Open Dates: May 27-September 12
- Scenery: Forested, riverside
- Facilities: Vault toilet, garbage, water via hand pump, picnic tables, fire rings
- Sites: 38 nonelectric individual sites for tents or RVs under 35 feet, 1 group site for 35-40 people max.
- Cost: Individual sites starting at $26 per night, Group sites $80 per night
- Fires may be restricted depending on wildfire risk
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This campground (and the entire Middle Fork Snoqualmie area) is unique as you don’t have to drive far from urban hubs to feel like you’re deep into nature!
View availability and make reservations here.
Or if you don’t feel camping, here’s nearby Airbnb’s:
- Mt. Si Tiny House
- Creekside Cabin (dog friendly)
Latest & Greatest Trail Reports
To see the most recent trail reports and events you should be aware of on Garfield Ledges Trail, click here to visit Washington Trails Association.
This post was all about hiking Garfield Ledges.
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