We had a great fall hike to Kendal Katwalk today.  There were 9 cars in the TH lot when we pulled in at 8:45.  It was a cool 52 degrees in the shade with mostly hazy / sunny skies.  The AQI for Snoqualmie Pass was 142.  There was definitely smoke in the air that seemed to dissipate a bit the higher you climbed.  The trail surface is hard packed wet soil from recent rains so not much eating dust on Mt hikes for the rest of this season.  We ended up hiking 13 miles round trip to the eastern end of the Katwalk and back.  Trail traffic was fairly light, most folks we passed were PCT thru hikers nearing the end of their epic journeys.  Two spots on the trail were marked with rocks and sticks indicating the 2,400 miles completed so far. Wildlife sightings were limited to chipmunks, squirrels, pika and a few gray Jay camp robbers.  After putting on extra layers and puff vests at the start of our hike we were shedding layers about 1 1/2 miles up the trail and were down to T-shirts by the time we reached the scree rock / boulder slopes below Red Mountain. The blueberry and huckleberry bushes above treeline have started turning a brilliant orange/red and many loaded with ripe berries.  We walked up to the Katwalk area just before 1:00 and enjoyed a leisurely lunch rest break in the sun with a nice SW breeze in our face.  A group of 8 Mountaineers walked past on their return from a longer hike up to Alaska Mt area on the PCT.  We started our descent at 2:00 and walked back down to the Th at 5:45.  The vault toilets were clean and stocked with supplies.  Another fantastic day out in nature with friends.

The hike started off in a thick layer of fog, but once we got above this we had clear views and a lovely temperature for hiking. We hit Kendall Peak on the way to the Katwalk. My friend's dog had no problem "scrambling" up the peak (it's really more of a rough patch of trail), and we were careful to keep him on a close leash at the summit. Lots of berries to pick on the way down!

Decent elevation gained gradually.  Extended hike to Ridge lake, added about 3 miles extra.

Somehow I missed this hike after 58 years of life in Washington State.  The trail is well maintained, but also well used. Rocks and roots exposed by hikers are a constant guest on the majority of the trail and hiking poles are a good idea for many.  I was able to grab one of the last open parking spaces despite arriving at 10:45am on a Friday.  The trail was busy with day hikers, day hikers with dogs, and PCT hikers.  I don't think I went more than 5 minutes between crossing paths with others.  The sound of I-90 is in the background for a majority of the hike.  Blueberries were aplenty on the exposed slopes above (aka Kendall Gardens).  At about 12.5 miles from parking lot to the end of the catwalk and back, with a pretty consistent elevation gain totaling about 3k vertical (including ups and downs), lots of exposed slopes on the second half, and a mile high elevation at the top, this is not an easy day hike for the non-young.  My 58 year old body in decent shape was sore by the time I got back to my car and headed to nearby DRU Brew for some post hike libations / rehydration.

This hike had been on my bucket list. Now it is not. This is a gorgeous challenging day hike. I arrived with a friend at 9:15am. It was misty. The trail is in great condition. The trail directions and details are spot on. The weather cleared as we ascended. While the cars of I-90 were present a good part of the trip, the views and forests are stunning. Quintessential Pacific Northwest. We ran into day hikers, PCT through-hikers and other backpackers, most friendly and marveling at the views. My 68 year old body made it to the Katwalk (not as dangerous as the name describes - wide (3-4' trail) but a sheer drop off, for sure!) in about 4 hrs with lots of stops. After lunch admiring views, the trip down took about 3hrs. What a stunning, long hike.