Jungle Creek, Way Creek — Sunday, May. 30, 2010

Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway

We did a vigorous 8 loop hike around Johnson Peak, utilizing the Jungle Creek, Way Creek trails, and a 1.5 mile section of the Jungle Creek road. These uncrowded trails tend to melt out early than some of the more popular paths in the Teanaway River region. Here as everywhere in this area, the scenery is lovely and the weather dry (usually). Glacier lilies and and other wildflowers are just coming out; the show should just get better in the following weeks. The Jungle Creek Trail is in fair condition, with sections of steep narrow tread and a few blowdowns around a mile in. These blowdowns do have the advantage of stopping motorcycles from driving up the trail (they are legal here). Beyond the Johnson Creek junction, extensive, steeply-sloped snowbanks still cover the Way Creek Trail on the north side of Johnson Peak...use caution if the snow is icy. Past the 4800' high point, at the Koppen Mountain Trail junction, the snow situation gets better, with only a few patches of snow to cross. The lower part of the Way Creek trail is snow-free, and in generally good condition, though its tread is narrow and slumped on many places where it traverses steep hillsides. Just a few blowdowns to cross, just enough to discourage wheeled traffic. The final 1000 foot descent to Way Creek trailhead follows a jeep road badly chewed up by fun- loving Memorial Day ATV drivers. The 1.5 mile road walk portion of the loop is surprisingly pleasant. There is little traffic on this dead-end road and one is serenaded by the musical sounds of Jungle Creek most of the way.