Hello, hikers,

The race is on! Three hikers got out today and joined in on the fun in the Twin Falls area and have already logged miles toward the year's end REI card. Nancy, Doreen, and Cary joined me for a fair weather trek to the falls and surrounding area. Convening at the trailhead, we quickly suited and booted up for the day ahead. Off we head with one of the many forks of the Snoqaulmie River hurrying by our sides, putting a definite chill in the air.....it is winter! Patches of all but melted snow linger from Monday's accumulation. Soon leaving river's edge, we switchback up the trail, heading to the ridge and our first views of the two falls....a welcome sight! After stopping briefly for a photo opportunity, we head down again, inching our way to an up close and personal view of the falls....up and down, up and down we meander, soon spotting the 88 stairs (as Nancy counts) that head down to the overlook at the base of the lower falls. Whoa....quite the scenery! Photo ops abound as the falls plummet over, around, and down, mesmerizing the group. Cary and Doreen, meeting on the hike for the first time, have seemed to hit it off (;-), as they yak up a storm! I believe we've got a friendship in the making...so nice to see. Time to retreat back up the steps and head to the upper falls, just a hop, skip, and a jump up the trail. There's the bridge over the falls, and there they are, smaller in stature, but none the less impressive as they twist and turn their way down to meet the lower ones. "What's it going to be, everyone?" Lunch and snacks here, or do we go on to the junction of the John Wayne trail for a break.... "Forge on" votes the group. Soon we find ourselves in deeper snow, making the going quite serene....oof! Up a steep section with exposed tree roots and slippery snow...that should be fun on the way down! Downed trees greet us as we spot the trail intersection, power lines, I-90 views, and all. The vote is now to retreat a bit to find a lunch spot and "table for 4" with a better view. Back we go, now navigating the steep, snow and root covered area heading down....."don't bowl anyone over" as we spread out allowing each of us to safely slide back down to more level ground. Ah, a log and the perfect lunch spot is in sight! Time to rest our weary bones and enjoy some conversation. Crunch, crunch, chat, chat. Food devoured and cooling down, we pack up and head back...more photo ops soon greet us. Wow, now going down hill, the going is much easier as we're soon back on the ridge looking once again at the twin falls. A quick stop gives us time to rest on the bench, admire the views, and to regroup. We soon spot the wildlife of the day..."what is it"? It looks like a tiny mouse/shrew/mole as it scuries away from us down the trail...two inches round, tall, long, and very cute. The river fork, now in view again, signals we're nearing the end of the outing.......a great time was had by all!

Happy Trails,
Kathy