Lipsy Creek & Otter Falls, Mt. Baker National Forest-Snoqualmie Trip Report
July 6, 2002
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John Munyan
126 Review(s) to Date
John is an avid hiker, spending a goodly portion of his time up in the hills, or sitting in front of a computer.
Either way, most of what finds his eye is green, or blue, - organic, or lcd. John likes this website, hopes you do too, and invites you to write a review of a couple hikes you've done!
Trail notes: Old maps show a "Lake Dorothy Highway," a shortcut from Seattle to Stevens Pass via the Taylor River, Snoqualmie Lake, and Miller River. After World War II major steps were taken toward implementing the plan; roads were built up the Miller to within 2 miles of Lake Dorothy and up the Taylor to within 2 miles of Snoqualmie Lake. One would suppose that the establishment of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness would have put the quietus to the highwaymens pipe dream, but as late as 1999 public officials were speaking of it as a plan still afloat. (Note the sign at the split in the Middle Fork Road pointing to Lake Dorothy!)
We do not think so. The loggers having long since gone away, their Taylor River road is mellowing into a delightful foot trail through green shadows of new forest. The river tumbles close below. Peaks of Garfield soar sharply high. The varied thrush trills, the winter wren twitters. The forest floor is carpeted with deer fern, elkhorn moss, teaberry, and bunchberry. Massive granite blocks invite scrambling.
Drive the Middle Fork Road to the Taylor River (Hike 16, Middle Fork Snoqualmie River: Downstream from Gateway Bridge to Rainy Creek Pool). Cross the Taylor bridge and turn left 0.4 mile to the gate at the second bridge, elevation 1100 feet.
Walk the Taylor River road-trail1f3 mile to a Y. Where Quartz Creek goes left, go right. The tributary creeks are the stars of the show, which is why the trip is best taken from late April to early June when the creeks are flushing winter down to the sea.
At 3 miles is the first of the big waters, Marten Creek, the falls churning a pool of limeade. A mean little old trail 100 feet short of the plank bridge climbs to awesome ancient cedars, some more than 12 feet in diameter.
Beyond Marten, several loud creeks tumble through culverts. There is also a rockslide that must be carefully crossed, and jackstraw jumbles of avalanched logs where passage has been made possible by a lot of chainsawing. At 1114 miles from Marten is Otter Creek, flowing through a particularly large culvert. Several hundred feet beyond, find a distinct though unsigned trail. Thats the way to go. Ira and Pat started up too soon and left bits of torn shirts and pants and quantities of blood in a thicket of slide alder. As for me, I never did find the trail, which climbs 100 feet and drops to Lipsy Lake.
Lipsy Lake! Whats that all about? Whatever; Ira shot a ton of film of the gem of a pool below a SOO-foot granite slab down which Otter Creek plunges in one waterfall after another.
Beyond Otter Creek 314 mile is Big Creek, 1700 feet, crossed by a massive concrete bridge. (Why here? For that shortcut highway?) Snow-water sheets down smooth granite, by far the finest otter slide of all. I lingered long at lunch, waiting, but they never showed up.
For a person wanting more exercise, Snoqualmie Lake is a couple of long, steep miles away at 3147 feet in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Its a lake, so you know there will not be solitude
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Reviewed By: Abe on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 @ 10:09:04 AM
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Review: Also a really fun spot for mountain biking!!
Just found out they allow bikes on this trail (trailhead labels it Snow Lake) on odd numbered days of the month. Perfect trail for a beginner-intermediate rider with great rewards at the end.
PS Otter Falls is over 1200 feet tall but only the bottom 600 or so are viewable. I tried to climb up the side mountain/hill by otter falls to reach the top and without trail it becomes very dangereous. How can you see the top portion?
Enjoyable and Flat
Reviewed By: Abe on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 @ 05:35:19 PM
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Took the wife and dogs along the trail last week. Well groomed, barley any elevation makes for a nice trip with kids or dogs. Falls undoubtedly at a lower flow this time of year, though that makes for good dry-fall climbing. Be careful walking up and down these falls as their are a lot of wet-but-doesnt-seem-like-it places, though if you have the urge do climb up a few dozen feet and slide down the fall to the water...amazing way to wake up from camping. (a perfect camping spot right before the falls)
Far exceeded expectations
Reviewed By: Jennifer on Sunday, June 22, 2008 @ 09:43:49 PM
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When we hiked this last weekend, the falls were MUCH more impressive than what is shown in the photo above. This year (2008), with the late snowmelt, it seems June was the ideal time to do this hike. The falls far exceeded my expectations. They were spectacular - or very nice, anyhow. They were certainly as nice as the Falls on the way to Lake Serene, maybe the nicest falls I've seen hiking in Washington other than Snoqualmie falls.
The trail was clear of snow until half a mile or a mile from the falls. Near the end, it was a bit snowy, but definitely hikeable, even in running shoes, which is what I was wearing. There are many downed trees on the trail, making the hike more challening than it might be otherwise. About halfway to the falls, there is a scenic river which is a good turnaround if you're looking for something shorter. It's definitely worth going to the falls if you can, though.
I'll definitely be back to do this one next spring. There aren't many hikes that are doable in the early season that actually have a rewarding or scenic finish, but this was an exception. I wouldn't be suprised if the falls were better than usual this year due to the unusually heavy snowfall.
Not so great
Reviewed By: Frank on Sunday, May 13, 2007 @ 11:38:46 AM
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Did this hike with the kids this weekend and the area seems pretty overgrown though the falls was tumbing down at a considerable clip...
Super easy
Reviewed By: Dingo on Monday, July 10, 2006 @ 05:53:23 AM
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Review: I just did this hike and have to say the review on this site was spot on. The hike isn't too difficult. Good for hikes with kids.
Easy hike
Reviewed By: Bob on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 @ 07:17:17 PM
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Review: This hike is remarkably easy. I must say that while the scenery isn't that great the difficulty of the hike isn't that bad either. I would say do this hike in the winter or when rainy since there aren't many views along the way. Still I would say it is worth doing if for no more reason than to see the waterfalls.
With the kids
Reviewed By: Anonymous on Sunday, September 11, 2005 @ 03:53:46 PM
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Liesurly stroll up the Taylor River to the concrete bridge (Big Creek) beneath the falls first week in August; temp in the low 80s, bugs under control, water levels very low (time of year + drought winter). Four kids: 2 13 yo young ladies and 2 10 yo young men in tow; actually, 2 49 yo men and 1 47 yo woman in tow.
Gradual upward grade exclusively in shade with glimpses to the south at Garfield. About 2/3 mark a beautiful wooden bridge over a tributary stream (believe this to be Otter/Lipsy?) and a beautiful little plunge basin about 25 yards upstream replete with waterfall.
Our turnaround/rest at said concrete monstrosity marked by much bouldering and good kid-friendly climbing up Big Creek Falls.
7-8 miles total; hiking time 2+ hours; overall very enjoyable, almost too easy. Would do it again on a sunny winter day, remembering next time not to leave valuables in the car! Sisters purse w/ credit cards, $, etc., stolen. A happy ending though...a good samaratin returned said purse via mail to CT minus the $80cash, but with all other valuables! A million thanks if you're out there!
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