Kendall Katwalk by the Numbers:
- 5,400 Foot Elevation
- 2,400 Foot Trailhead Elevation
- 450 Yards Katwalk Length
- 3.5 Hours from Trailhead to Kendall Katwalk
- 2.5 Hours from Kendall Katwalk to Trailhead
- 2 Bottles of Water Consumed on the Hike
- 1 Pika
- 0 Problems
I arrived at the Snoqualmie Pass parking lot off Exit 52 at 7:15a on a Thursday morning. There were 24 cars in the parking lot already, not counting mine and a couple of small groups were assembling to set out on the Pacific Crest Trail North and Commonwealth Basin Trails. I had copied the WTA's trail guide into Evernote and also had downloaded the WTA app as backup, not knowing how signal access would be on the trail.
The first two miles of the trail were exactly as the WTA guide described it; a steady incline through old growth forest and just one switchback. I was disappointed to see the first bag of dog poop on the side of trail just 75 yards in from the trailhead, and I saw another bag about a half mile later. Following that bag, someone had left their dog's upchuck mix of kibble and grass right in the middle of the path. People if you're going to bring your dog, then pick up after it. Leaving a bag on the trail is not better than grabbing a stick and sweeping your mess off the trail.
Recent trip reports on the WTA website suggested bugs were an issue on this hike, so I grabbed the last bottle of Repel hanging on the shelves at Fred Meyer. It reminded me of its presence at about one and 1/4 miles in when it started seeping into my right eye. That was more irritating than the few bugs I encountered on the hike.
Most people on the trail were not wearing masks, though some were. I let groups pass me by pulling off to the side of trail, as much as I could give, which wasn't much. In the first group of three I let pass, the two women pulled up their gaiters and were very friendly because they saw I was waiting for them. The guy at the rear carrying hiking poles was not friendly and made no effort to shield his breath. About 3/4 of a mile later, I was passed by a couple who looked like they were fresh from a fight; the woman in front didn't acknowledge me while her hiking partner gave me a nod. I followed them for a while, keeping a good distance as they pulled away. Still no conversation though the entire time. That must have been some fight.
I hit the first talus field, or Pika City, at the two-mile point. The little marmots were chirping the entire time I passed through this section. I saw them pop up near and far, though one surprised both of us on the way down by emerging from the bushes a couple feet away.
The WTA guide talks about crossing a waterfall just past the talus field but there was no water falling on this day, though I could hear it splashing a dozen or so yards below. There was more water above after the switchback so clearly there are underground channels for the water.
Between the "would-be-fall" and the creek above, I was passed by another young couple. When they saw that I had pulled to the side and was wearing my gaiter, they gave me a "hello' and scrambled up the trail to put some distance between us, which I thought was a nice gesture.
After the creek, I encountered a father and daughter coming coming down the trail. We had a nice chat near the first field of fireweed flowers. For the next 2 miles, I maintained my way up the "Steady Eddie" trail. Having hiked the Pacific Northwest for the past 11 years, I've grown used it's beauty, but I always try to renew my appreciation for the new combinations of magic when discovering a new trail. This trail offers lots of surprises along the way; sword ferns of all sizes, alpine flowers, and open vistas--each one better than the next.
It was about this section of the hike that my right knee was starting to send me signals. But these were on the inside, not the usual outside spot, so I kept leaning on the hiking poles as I climbed and monitored my knee for potential issues. Fortunately, I started the hike with a preventative mindset by wearing a soft knee brace and taking Motrin. I was also wearing my new Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX hiking boots. I know this will sound like an ad but I've never had boots this comfortable and with this kind of support. And you definitely need good boots for this hike.
The second talus field; Kendall Gardens, is a great spot for spotting pikas and squirrels and listening to their calls and marks a transition in the hike--rather than forests with occasional views, there is more open hiking with patches of forest. When Red Mountain comes into full view, you know you will be close to the Katwalk.
I don't do well with heights, but the Katwalk was a good combination of exhilaration and anxiety. I walked the entire 450 yards alone and stay right in the middle of the trail. I could have passed another hiker, if it came to this, but they would have gotten the outside ledge.
At the end of the Katwalk, I found a rocky perch for lunch about 10 feet above the trail. It was nice and flat and other than a couple of hikers passing below me, I had it all to myself. Following lunch and another hot of Motrin, I made my return journey, including walking video of the Katwalk. The remainder of the hike was a pleasure. I pulled over for a lot of uphill hikers and I got a lot of positive comments about my Seattle Kraken t-shirt. I stopped at a makeshift campsite about 2.5 miles from the bottom for water and protein. By the time I reach the trailhead, I had been out for 7 wonderful hours.
