KENDALL KATWALK
This is a fun hike along the PCT to a very dramatic section of the trail that was blasted into the side of a mountain. Plus the views at the end are amazing! This is a pretty popular hike, so try to start early or go on a weekday.
Quick Facts:
Distance: 12 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2500 feet
Location: PCT North Trailhead, I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass, Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Season: Summer-Fall
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass
Check the weather: mountain-forecast, weather.gov
Check for recent trip reports: WTA, AllTrails
Notes: The last 1.5 miles of this hike are treacherous if snow is still present – be sure to check recent trip reports to see if that is the case.
Getting there:
Click here for the TH location on Google Maps
The directions to the trailhead above are correct, and because this hike starts only a short, paved drive off I-90 any car should be able to make it.
Katwalk, August 2020
View of Mount Rainier from the trail, August 2020
Hike description:
To start this hike, head past the information board at the parking lot and a picnic table a few yards later. As you follow this trail there will be a few smaller side trails (these go to I-90 and to the old PCT) – stay on the large, main trail that has a small PCT sign high up on a tree early on. If you cross a creek on a wooden bridge soon after you start hiking you’re on the right trail. Although the views in the later part of this trail are quite nice, the first few miles are a little less exciting. You’ll hike gradually uphill, occasionally switchbacking through the woods and crossing some small streams (these may require some care to cross early in the season) for the first 2.3 miles. Here you’ll come to a signed intersection with the Commonwealth Basin trail, and will stay to the right to stay on the PCT.
Soon after this the trail will become rocky and you’ll emerge into an open meadow with great views across I-90 and to Red Mountain directly in front of you. Enjoy these until you head back into the woods and continue another mile, when you’ll cross a stream and emerge into another open meadow. The trail can be a bit confusing here, as you follow a gravelly bed uphill for a short while before continuing onto a more well-defined trail, so take care that you end up in the right place. There can also be some wonderful wildflowers in this area, so keep an eye out for those!
View of Red Mountain from the lower part of the trail, July 2020
Trail before the Katwalk, August 2020
After another mile of uphill hiking in the woods you’ll arrive at the flat top of a ridge. Hike a flat trail through trees for about another half mile before you emerge into an open talus field. Here you suddenly get to reap the rewards for all of that uphill hiking through trees! There are great views ahead of Lundin Peak and Red Mountain, and behind of Mount Rainier. Hike a beautiful trail along the side of the ridge, taking in the wildflowers and great mountain views for just over another mile, switchbacking twice to gain some elevation. At around 5.5 miles from the trailhead you’ll finally be able to see over the ridge to your right. These are some of my favorite views of this hike down into Gold Creek Valley and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness!
Don’t stop at this first viewpoint (like I did the first time I hiked this trail in 2017, thinking it was the Katwalk) – keep hiking until you reach a wooden sign telling horse riders to dismount. This signals the start of the Katwalk. Proceed carefully here – although the trail is plenty wide and flat to hike safely, there is quite a drop off and the views can be distracting! Walk to the other side and turn around to see what you just crossed – it’s a very impressive stretch of trail! Although there are some great views here, I would recommend retreating back where you came from slightly to find a spot for lunch and to take in the views, as space here is limited.