Kendall
Katwalk-Ridge Lake
10-05-25
I
spent Saturday doing yard work at home. I was ready for a long hike on
Sunday. Reports said it was raining in the mountains on Saturday but I
was looking forward to sunshine on Sunday. Recently I have picked a
destination only to change it at the last minute. Smoke, rain, or
someone free to hike with me unexpectedly. First was Rainbow Lake,
then, Mt. Dickerman and now the Kendall Katwalk. The first two I did
get to and now it was time for a trip to the Katwalk and Ridge Lake. A
nice long trip on a moderately graded trail with some good fall colors.
In the afternoon the Seahawks were playing at home and an hour after
that game the Mariners had a rare home playoff game. That meant over
114,000 fans downtown for the games. I needed an early start to get
back to Seattle before the football game ended around 4:15 pm. I was
out of the house at about 6:45 am. Traffic was pretty light. A lane
closure near the summit did not slow me down. I arrived at the
trailhead at 7:40 am to find the parking lot more than half full. I
quickly headed out at 7:44 am. Fall is here and it as only 41 degrees.
I started out fast to warm up.
The sky was clear on the drive but I quickly found myself in low
clouds. The ground was wet and some of the brush. It definitely rained
the day before. The gentle grade made gaining elevation pretty easy.
With several groups getting ready when I left, I expected to be passed
in the first mile. The leaves down low were still green. I expected
that to change higher up. There are only a couple sets of switchbacks
as the trail has long traverses between them. The path up Commonwealth
Creek is shorter and steeper but I was looking for a long trip. The
trail came out of the forest and soon reached the first high point. I
passed the wilderness sign and began to descend on a now rocky trail. I
climbed above the clouds after less than a mile and now I had clear
blue sky as I looked up to see nearby Guye Peak and Red Mountain
farther down the valley. The camera was now out. There was a lot to see
on this hike. I passed a group of two and one of three. Two more hikers
were now in sight ahead. Just after the low point, I reached the
Commonwealth Creek Trail junction. I looked for the 4km sign but did
not see it. It is the only kilometer sign that I know still exists.
I left the forest for a moment and saw the remains of fireweed flowers
lining the trail. I had another closer look up to Red Mountain. The
trail switchedback to the right for a long traverse. I was on the
lookout for fresh mushrooms but found only a couple all day. I crossed
the big avalanche washout for a few decades ago. I used to be able to
look up to Kendall Gardens below Kendall's summit. Now the brush and
trees have mostly blocked the view. I was glad to see the next
switchback. This traverse went up to the ridge top, along it, and
dropped into the open talus fields below the summit. I started to see
backpackers coming down. I reached the ridge top in forest and still
felt really good. Warm summer days are nice but I like cool mornings
for easy fast hiking. I often take a food and water break where the
trail drops off the ridge top. This day I just kept on moving. I soon
broke out into the big talus field. The view to the south and west was
good. There was only a little haze. The huge Teanaway Labor Mountain
fire was still burning. Smoke could head this way at any time.
I noticed the lookout atop Granite Mountain. Guys Peak was no longer
high above me. The ski area at Snoqualmie Summit came into view. One
hiker had a camera out and was just enjoying the views. I noticed Mt.
Rainier was in sight. There was a little haze to the south but Rainier
was clearly seen. As I hiked farther the colors began to appear. Ahead
of me the color was muted. I kept looking back to get some backlit
leaves. The leaves were not at peak but the colors were good. The trail
turns to the right and leaves the sunshine. This was not what I wanted.
The next section has a set of switchbacks as it climbs up through berry
bushes. They had leaves of yellow, orange, and red. The colors were
good but there was no backlighting. I hoped to have some on the way
down. After switchbacking right and left I passed the path up to the
summit of Kendall Peak. It once was so minimal that I would lose it
several times heading up and down. On my last time up it was a very
well defined trail. I need to go to the summit again at some point.
The trail breaks out of the brush and onto the narrow path with an
enormously steep drop. It is not a place to have vertigo. It rounds a
corner and heads across the north side of Kendall. This is the spot
that holds hard icy snow in the spring when the trail is bare below. A
minute or two later I was on the narrow ridge heading north to the
Katwalk. I stopped for the view to the east. I could see Alta Mountain
and Three Queens and surprisingly even Mt. Stuart. I expected it to be
partly blocked by smoke. The view was very hazy. The trail drops and
climbs a couple times before reaching the Katwalk at just over 5400'. I
passed one group on the north side traverse and the Katwalk was empty.
I took a minute to enjoy views of Red Mountain and Snoqualmie Mountain
then headed across the Katwalk. To the north I could see Four Brothers,
Chikamin, and other points. One group was at the far end. I reached the
Katwalk after 6 miles at 10:08 am. It took me 2:24. A dozen years ago I
did it in 2:08. I am now a bit slower but I made it up and still felt
great. It is about a mile more to Ridge Lake. I wanted to head down by
12:00 pm so I had plenty of time to get to Ridge Lake and back.
The trail is not out of forest as it crosses a couple rocky basins with
views out and some more leaf color. I took my time. The talus slopes
were full of pikas. I could hear their "eek" calls continuously. The
trail drops down to the pass where Ridge and Gravel Lakes sit. I
arrived at Ridge Lake at 10:41 am. I was 7 miles up the trail and it
was barely after 10:30 am. The only wind of the day was blowing across
the lake. It was cold enough for a windshirt. I sat down for brunch and
three other groups soon arrived. I packed up and headed back at 10:57
am. I climbed up the trail to a spot where I was hearing several pikas.
I sat still and listened. I was able to lock in one a few small pikas
and went to work photographing them. It is a real treat to see them. I
hiked very slowly on my way back to the Katwalk. This sub-alpine
terrain is very scenic. Back at the Katwalk, I noticed that the views
east were now much more hazy. Even to the west it was coming in.
Overhead it was mostly blue but a could smell a bit of smoke. All the
more reason to head down.
I left the Katwalk at 11:47 am. Below the Kendall Peak summit trail the
berry bushes were now backlit. The colors were excellent. As expected,
I saw quite a few hikers coming up as I descended. It is a popular
trail. I followed my route up back to the car. It was definitely
getting a little smoky by early afternoon. I have a mask in my pack but
it was not close to bad enough to use it. I reached the parking lot at
2:14 am. It was now full. It was in the high 60s now. A lane was closed
when I merged onto I-90 and that slowed me down. After that, it was
smooth sailing back home. I went by the stadiums before the football
game ended. The Seahawks lost but the Mariners won their first home
playoff game since 2001.
This turned out to be a very good hike. It was cold at first but warmed
up. The cool made ascending much easier. The views were good in the
morning. On the way down Mt. Rainier was entirely lost in haze. The
leaves were a little past prime but still very good. I even found some
sweek blueberries to munch on. Though the trail was not steep it was
long. For the day I hiked about 14 miles with 3100' of gain. The fourth
hiking quarter is off to a good start.