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If you are playing along at home this is Hike 38 in "55 Hikes around Snoqualmie Pass" by Harvey Manning. I have spent the last couple years on my quest to do every one of these hikes. Some are great, some are like Mount Gardner.
First, the book says this is exit 39 off of I-90. It is exit 38. There is no exit 39. I am really familiar with the exits farther east where I do most of my summer hikes, so I did not catch this typo until I passed it, and had to look back. From there you turn off onto Forest Service Road 9020. A word about Forest Service Road 9020... This may be the worst road I have ever driven on. To be fair, there is a sign that states this road is not maintained for cars, but to heavy trucks. That sign should be heeded. I have an AWD SUV so I could do it, but there were times when I was laughing over the road. My hiking partner, my dog Isis, did not like the road. If I have not scared you off yet, around 2 miles in, just after a nearly 90 degree turn in the road and crossing over Alan Creek there is a fork in the road. Take the Left Fork. The right fork (aka the one I took) is wrong. The road branches to the right 2 more time. The first time is a teaser. The second time, you are there. The left fork ends just after the fork. Park there.
Mount Gardner is a road walk. You are still on Forest Service Road 9020. In case of a fire, fire service vehicles can still use the road, so it is somewhat maintained. I would not want to be the poor fool who drives on it, but it could be done. This is not a foot trail.
On the second switchback, you really get a good view of Snoqualmie Valley. The whole North side of the mountain opens up for views. This is the best view of the valley you are going to get on the whole hike. You see it again, but not as open as this.
Continuing on, you get to elevation 3800 feet (about 3 miles in and 1500 ft of elevation gain). This is where you are supposed to stop as you have entered the Cedar River Watershed. There is no sign that I could see and I wasn't watching my altimeter, so I missed it. I continued on to where I could see the top of the Mount Gardner. I was surprised by this, looked at my altimeter, saw I was at 4200 feet and decided I should stop there. I removed my camera and tripod from my pack and started snapping pictures, had a bite to eat and fed Isis.
While the book says this hike is March - November, don't think this means no snow. I walked on some snow from time to time, and this was an incredibly poor snow year. It was not bad to walk on.
On the trip back, Isis was giving me the evil eye as I stopped often for photos. I am currently taking a photography class and I am learning how to take better pictures. Luckily for Isis, I found 6 rounds of live ammunition in the trail and decided I should take it down with me. This stopped my picture taking.
Stats:
| Distance: | 3.5 miles one way |
| Hiking Time: | 3-4 hours |
| Trailhead Elevation: | 2300 ft |
| Elevation Gain: | 1900 ft |
| Season: | March - November |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
| Rating: | Poor |
| Use: | Very Light |
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