I-90 area offers excellent hiking options in winter

  • By Jessi Loerch Herald Writer
  • Thursday, December 24, 2015 1:51pm
  • LifeExplore NW

“It’s dark. I’m kinda embarrassed to admit I didn’t realize it would still be dark.”

I was standing at the trailhead in the dark. I was meeting a friend for an early morning hike, the only thing we had time for in the rush of the holidays.

It was just before the solstice and, it turns out, still really dark at 7 a.m.

No matter, though, that’s what headlamps are for.

We’d picked Margaret’s Way to try for the first time. It’s a new trail that opened early this summer. Anna Roth, the hiking content coordinator for Washington Trails Association, suggested it to me when I asked for some good winter hikes around I-90.

Last winter, you could pick nearly any trail to hike. This year, things are different. We actually have snow. That’s excellent news for skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers. For hikers, it means it’s a good time to explore some low elevation hikes.

Margaret’s Way is one of those hikes. Its high point is 1,730 feet, meaning it will stay snow free most of the year. The access is also entirely on paved roads, but the trail manages to feel more remote than it is.

The route starts in a large parking lot and heads up an old road at the base of Squak Mountain. Trails wind all over this area, but Margaret’s Way is beautifully signed. Even in the dark we were able to easily find our turns.

WTA created the trail with help from volunteers and other groups. At one point, the area was set to become a housing development. Issaquah Alp Trails Club, however, got people excited about protecting the area. In 2014, it was purchased by King County help from the Trust for Public Lands. Roth said that the trail is part of an effort to create a corridor between Squak and Cougar mountains, both of which have networks of trails.

The trail climbs decently, offering a good workout, but it’s never too steep. Some areas are muddy, of course, but I was fine in my trail-running shoes. The day we were out, we saw a couple dozen trail runners and a few other hikers. Mostly, though, we were alone in the trees, which are a mix of deciduous transitioning to more evergreens higher up. We had brunch at Debbie’s View. Our view was the inside of a cloud, but no matter. We enjoyed the nice bench, with several stumps to rest our feet on, and ate our bagels and cream cheese. We even sipped a little pre-holiday cherry brandy.

The trip back was quick and easy. Once again, the signs made it simple to follow the trail. You could also turn this trip into a loop easily. There are many trails around this area. You’ll need a map. Really, you should always have a map, but this trail is so new, it won’t show yet on some maps. Still, combined with the King County map (http://1.usa.gov/1J5hEMt) you can check out your loop options. Roth likes the Green Trails map to the area, Cougar Mountain 203S, which is handy because it shows mileages on trail sections.

The hike is off of exit 15 on I-90. For directions and more details on the hike, check out WTA’s write up at http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/margarets-way.

More hikes

Here are more suggestions from Roth for winter hiking in the I-90 area. I tend to think of I-90 as being a long drive from home, but I was at Margaret’s Way in about 50 minutes from my house in Everett. Just go on a weekend, or before or after rush hour on a weekday.

John Wayne Trail: This trail is in Iron Horse State Park (a long, thin park that follows a former railroad route). The route described on the WTA site is 11 miles, but you can easily make your trip shorter or longer. Gain is about 300 feet. You’re likely to see railroad artifacts along the way. Please leave these for others to enjoy. Roth enjoys this hike because it feels farther away from the freeway than it is. It’s a great hike for beginners, also. Off of I-90 exit 32.

Details: www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/iron-horse

South Tiger Mountain Loop: This trail is typically not snowy, although Roth warns that ice is possible in very cold weather. While the route can be confusing because of all the trails in the area, WTA’s trip description is detailed. Bring a map, too, and you’ll be able to navigate this route without trouble. Roth says this area is great because you can easily go for a quick hike or spend an entire day exploring. This route is 8.6 miles and 1550 feet of gain. Off of I-90 exit 17.

Details: www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/south-tiger-mountain-loop

Snoqualmie Valley Trail: This trail goes for more than 31 miles, from Duvall all the way south to North Bend and beyond, ending at Rattlesnake Lake. It wanders past working farms and open spaces. The surface is crushed rock and bikes and strollers can also use this trail. It also makes an excellent running route.

Details: www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/snoqualmie-valley-trail; http://1.usa.gov/1YC6u3q. For an overview map of the trail, go to www.snovalley.org, scroll down and click on Snoqualmie Valley Trail Map to see a PDF.

Moncton’s Ghost Town: This ramble is near the extremely popular Rattlesnake Ledge, but Roth says it’s likely to be quieter now than in the summer and there’s plenty of parking. You can wander along the edge of Rattlesnake Ledge and look for the remains of Moncton. Moncton, which used to be a railroad stop, was submerged by a dam in 1915. When waters are low, the bits of the old town are revealed. If you do find artifacts, please don’t disturb them. About 2.5 miles roundtrip, negligible gain. Off of I-90 exit 32.

Details: www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/moncton-ghost-town.

Snoqualmie Falls: Roth says this trip is a touristy, bucket-list location but for good reason. It does feature a really spectacular waterfall — so spectacular it was featured in “Twin Peaks.” The route down to the base of the falls is paved, but it’s surprisingly steep. You’ll get a good workout on the way back up. And you’ll get a different view of the falls. 1.4 miles and 250 feet of gain. South of Carnation.

Details: www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/snoqualmie-falls.

North Creek Boardwalk: This trail isn’t on the I-90 corridor, but is convenient for folks from south and central Snohomish County. Roth suggests tacking it on at the end or beginning of another hike, especially the shorter trips like Moncton and Snoqualmie Falls. Or, if you’re short on time, do it by itself. It features some nice wildlife and kids love the boardwalk, Roth said. Access is from 183rd Street in Mill Creek.

Details: www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/north-creek-park-boardwalk.

Jessi Loerch: jloerch@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3046; www.heraldnet.com/explorenw.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.