The Kendall Katwalk is a pathway blasted out of rock on a sheer cliff. Its not unsafe to cross, quite wide actually, but you still don’t want to get too close to the edge. I didn’t decide to hike this until right before I headed out on Saturday morning. I hadn’t felt well during the week, fatigued, but I forced myself to get out and move. I didn’t remember this trail being so long, and while hiking I was really wondering if I was going to make it or not.
The trail is only moderate, despite a sign at the beginning indicating VERY DIFFICULT, but I think since its part of the Pacific Crest Trail, that the very difficult part could be well beyond the Kendall Katwalk, since it goes north to Stevens Pass and beyond.
I left the house about 930 and got up to Snoqualmie Pass about 10. The lot was full but I found one of the last spots in the main lot, and was on the trail by 1015. I have been thinking that I have been slowing down somewhat as I get older, mostly because of the fatigue I’ve been feeling, but I was still passing a few people as I went so I certainly wasn’t the slowest. This was a busy trail, but nothing like Mt Si or Rattlesnake Ledge. I actually had time to pee along the way without running into someone every few yards!
This trail is within earshot of I-90 at the top of Snoq Pass for 3/4 of the way up, so cell phone service is good almost all the way. Even in the heavily forested areas I had signal. The temp out was cool but I didn’t need anything beyond my shorts or short sleeve shirt for warmth as I was sweating within about 20 minutes, although I did have a sweater. It was cool but it was also humid.
The trail gently climbs and switchbacks its way up thru the forest and crosses numerous creeks and streams. The views are spectacular from almost the start, some just peek thru the trees, others in open areas.
I didn’t stop for a break until about 3 miles in, had a quick snack bar, then stopped again about half a mile later to empty debris from my boots. After that it was straight and steady to the katwalk. Fall colors are out and made for some pleasant viewing
This last one, I’ll be in the rocky area below the mountain top just below the top of the trees, in the next couple pictures below.
Pretty soon I arrived at a long open rocky area that was warm and sunny with a slight breeze, and worthy of photos. Mt Rainier was visible but clouded over. You can look straight west down I-90 as it comes up to the pass.
Its been years since the last time I was here, Aug 2008. You can see my prev blog posting here. Anyway, I got to Kendall Katwalk at approx. 1pm, and walked to the other end. I didn’t look down. I found a nice place to sit, among two dozen other people(a couple of groups, it was loud!) and ate my lunch. I think I rested for 20 minutes total. Here is the katwalk, you can faintly see people at the other end. Following that is the view looking down into the valley from my lunch spot.
People were constantly coming and going, and I decided to head back down. I was not as fatigued and I expected to be, and was really happy to have made it all the way. That gave me more energy to go down. Hiking down wasn’t steep, but it was steeper than it seemed going up. Crazy. It was also longer going back than coming up. There were parts of the trail that I couldn’t remember, because you are facing the other direction, everything is backward. That comes with familiarity.
When I got home, I rested a little bit, then went out to blow leaves and burn weeds. After that it was dinnertime, and I was now truly fatigued and had a reason for it! I was in bed by 9.