Denny Creek Trail
Date: November 13, 2009
Difficulty: 5 out of 10
Distance: 9 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft
Time: 4 to 5 hours
Location: I-90 exit 47
Users Group: Hikers & Leashed Dogs Only
Permits: Northwest Forest Pass Required
Hiking with: Dr. Robert McElroy

Since they called for rain most of the day in Seattle and snow level dropping down to 1000 feet in the Cascades, Rob and I wanted to start our hike in the snow and avoid getting out of the car in rain.  So, we decided to head Commonwealth Basin on exit 52 at Snoqualmie Pass, but due to a traffic accident after exit 47 that shut down I-90, we decided to snowshoe the Denny Creek.  The road leading into Denny Creek trailhead was snow covered with 6 inches of snow and luckily we got passed early on by a large dually truck that made tracks for us.  Turning into the parking lot we got stuck and were just spinning our tires, so I got out and pushed to give Rob’s car some momentum.  We found some bare ground underneath a tree and parked the car  facing out toward the road for the end of the hike.

The snow was still coming down when we started hiking and never did stop for any small breaks during the hike.  Underneath the tree canopy, the trail started off with 3 to 4 inches of snow that increased as we ascended.  It was obvious that we were the first ones on the trail; it was all fresh snow below us.  By the time we hit Horseshoe Falls, snow depth was between 10 to 14 inches of fluffy snow.  About a quarter mile after the large rock field, the snow was getting deeper, so we decided to put on our snowshoes.  Even with snowshoes, the fluffy snow was up to our knees.  We took turns leading to break trail; actually Rob did most of the work though.  After tromping through the thick snow for 2 ½ hours, we decided to turn back, right before Hemlock Pass.  Due to the high stepping through the snow, my thighs cramped up on the way down….I was instantly paralyzed trying to relax my cramps.