Hiked up from Snoqualamie Pass to Ridge Lake on 9/6/99 in cloulds and drizzle. There were a half dozen trees across the lower part of the trail. The Katwalk was clear but there were a few small patches of snow beyond it. Tuesday, 9/7/99 was bright and clear. My son and I took a day hike up to the saddle between Alaska Lake and Joe Lake. The views were spectacular. The trail was in good shape. Also great views from the top of the small peak to your left as you come to Ridge Lake. We spent another night at Ridge Lake and hiked out Wednesday morning 9/8/99. Met Dan the Mountain Man heading up to remove some of the blow downs. This was our first time on this part of the trail but it will not be our last!

Left the trail head just to the left of the east bound Snoqualmie Pass Ski area exit off of I-90, at 9:10 am. Reached the Katwalk after a vertical climb of 2,400 feet and 5.25 miles to 5,300 feet above sealevel at 11:45 am. The trail was in good shape with just a few trees blown over the trail about midway. These were easily stepped over. The gray skies made the hike cool and enjoyable. The Katwalk was quite wonderful to see as well as the great views of Red Mt. and the other peaks on the way up. We only passed a very small patch of snow, otherwise there was none on the trail. We did not see any animals except chipmunks and heard whistling marmots (I think) on the trail at the rock crossing near the top. The trip down took from 12:15 pm to 2:50 pm, just as long as going up!!'' We passed many other hikers heading to the top and we think that the time we waited on the side of the trail with our dog to let the other hikers pass made up for any time that we saved going downhill.

Trail only has patches of snow to the catwalk. No real route finding problems. A dozen or so blowdowns will take a while to clear.

There are many windfalls, which I catalogued through the first four miles of trail. Snow cover beyond this point prevented reporting all windfalls, although it is clear that there are many more for the next two miles to the Kendall Katwalk. The trail is mostly snow free, but the snow patches that do exist can be troublesome. Many hikers are missing the switchback at 4.0 miles (4350 feet elevation). There are also snow patches covering the steep slopes in the last half mile before the Katwalk. Crossing these snow patches can be hazardous - carry something to arrest a fall; an ice axe is recommended. The Katwalk is completely snow free. Travel beyond this point is not recommended due to snow covered steep exposures. Columbine, skunk cabbage, vanilla leaf, trillium, false Solomon's seal, and monkey flower were noted. A mountain garter snake was sunning itself at the junction with the Commonwealth Basin spur trail.

Easy trek up until approx. mile 3, where trail is mostly covered in snow. Tried to scramble our way up for another .5 miles, but lost the trail. (We should have had our map!)