Travel to Goldmyer

It used to be that you needed a high-clearance vehicle to drive up the road to Goldmyer Hot Springs. Last spring, though, the forest service upgraded the road so now my little car can handle it.

Except that they gated the road off 4.5 miles before Goldmyer, at Dingford Creek.


So instead of having the option of a very bumpy road and a 1/4-mile walk or an okay road and a twelve-mile walk, you now have the option of an okay road and a 4.5-mile walk or an okay road and a twelve-mile walk. I don't know why anyone would choose the longer hike anymore. Especially in the rain. That trailhead had several cars today, however, I noticed.

Also, the twelve-mile walk ends with a very cold creek crossing. The 1/4-mile walk used to start with a very cold river crossing, but the forest service has now put in a bridge. Much warmer and dryer!



The improved road (upgraded from very bumpy to okay) still has numerous potholes and is actually only one-lane (two tracks). The road that's always been okay has actually degredated since last year, with just as many potholes as the further-in stretch. But it's two lanes, so you can drive 25 mph instead of 18 mph.

I found it odd that the road goes from two lanes to one lane with no 1.5-lane stretch. Three-track dirt roads are fairly common in the Cascades, but not on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie, I guess!

From Seattle, the total trip is now three hours. Goldmyer Hot Springs will tell you four, but I think they drive and walk slow.


Eighty-some years ago, you could make the trip in two, but that's when they had a train.