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Based on the complaints from the Twin Falls hikes of it being too steep and too long, this week I selected an easier hike. Hike 51 from Best Hikes with Children: Western Washington & The Castcades Volume 1 by Joan Burton is Franklin Falls. This hike is only 1 mile with 100 ft of elevation gain.
We took the old Wagon road trail out to the falls. This trail is slightly longer than 1 mile and with the decaying pine needles on the trail, it adds a bit of a spring to your step. Be warned that this trail crosses USFS Road No 58 three times. The trail was nice the whole way except the very end. The last 20 yards or so, you are on a narrow rock trail to the falls. Jaymie and Leila were a bit concerned for footing.
If it were warm, this would be a spectacular place. The spray of the falls would make it seem much, much cooler. In our case, it was a tad bit chilly and the spray made it even cooler. It was a beautiful falls though and we all enjoyed it.
Leaving the falls, Jaymie twisted her ankle and had to limp back to the car using my hiking poles. We took the short path back, which helped. Everyone kept asking how much farther and I used the standard "Oh, just around the bend." or "I think I see the car." It did not take long before they quit asking. muhahahahaha
Leila's take on the hike: It was perfect! It was kinda chilly once we got there though. The rocks were hard to climb when we got to the falls, but Isis helped me.
Jaymie's take on the hike: I really liked the pine needles on the wagon trail and it was very picturesque. I disliked crossing USFS Road No 58 three times. The waterfall was absolutely beautiful, but freakin cold. The rocky downward slope at the end was dangerous. I butt walked it and felt comfortable doing it as we saw another person fall when we were there. The direct route back was manicured as opposed to the more natural state of the wagon road trail. I liked the pine needle springiness better than the small gravel that made up the direct trail. On the plus side, the Franklin Falls trail does have many scenic views of the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
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