Seattle, WA: Snowy Creek to Rock Mountain
This half-mad dayhike requires a stiff climb through overgrown brush, then rewards hikers with miles of wildflowers backdropped by alpine peaks.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 13.8
Waypoints
SNW001
Location: 47.8077812, -120.9963913
Trail parallels road then turns S into forest
SNW002
Location: 47.8005981, -120.9992371
Hike into overgrown meadows of cow parsnip, bluebells, and bracken
SNW003
Location: 47.7967339, -121.0001068
Cross a branch of Snowy Creek coming in from the W–an easy rock-hop in mid-summer
SNW004
Location: 47.79459, -120.9997635
Stay straight, passing an unsigned junction and little-traveled trail on R
SNW005
Location: 47.7930489, -120.9925308
Cross Snowy Creek again (expect wet feet). Small falls upstream
SNW006
Location: 47.7930908, -120.9897079
The scenery improves in this meadow of rare and colorful wildflowers, including pink monkey flower, elephant head, bog orchids. Look up and see the ridge climb to Rock Mtn.
SNW007
Location: 47.7970428, -120.9857559
Plod up tight, steep switchbacks
SNW008
Location: 47.7986526, -120.9803848
Hit a switchback overlooking a deep massive avalanche gully that must roar with activity all winter. From here to the summit, it’s one wildflower meadow after another
SNW009
Location: 47.7986908, -120.9794083
Your hard work begins to pay off as views of Mt. Daniel start coming into view to the S
SNW010
Location: 47.7966194, -120.973465
Once on ridge, glance down to Rock Lake. Turn L, possibly climbing past snow patches until late-July
SNW011
Location: 47.7997665, -120.974472
Rock Mtn. (6,852 ft.): Take in a bird’s eye view of Glacier Peak Wilderness and White Mtns. Then tighten your boots for the 3,200-ft. descent back to trailhead