Sky Walking Granite

I have frequently hiked to the Kendall Katwalk via the Commonwealth Creek Trail. This last spring a journey of roots, rocks, snowfields, stream crossings, deadfall, brush, mud, and bugs. And yet, the air was fresh, the streams were talking, the trees were fragrant, the flowers out, and the views sublime. Simply some kind of wonderful! I love this hike!

     The famed Kendall Katwalk is a stunning, jaw-dropping sky walk, probably the most arduous and expensive 450-foot section of path ever constructed. At only 4-feet wide, it traverses across a steep 50-degree rock cliff, with granite walls on the west side and a sheer unimpeded drop of 800 feet on the east. Surrounded by jagged Snoqualmie area peaks, the place demands your attention and begs you to stay.

     The Snoqualmie area section of the Pacific Crest Trail was created to be more “horse friendly” than the old Cascade Crest Trail that snakes up the Commonwealth Creek basin and precipitously drops over Red Pass as it travels north towards Canada. lmo Warren, the Idaho-based lead contractor for the PCT project, called it “the hardest piece of trail ever built.”

     Warren and his crew built a trail up to the ridge and set up camp at Gravel Lake in 1976, just north of the cliff face they would carve. Mules packed in 1,000 feet of steel cables and the 80-pound gas-powered drills that the workers would use as they rappelled down the cliff and bored holes for the dynamite to blast away large sections of the granite. It took them all summer. The result of their work is masterful, a perfect path that cuts straight across the cliff face. The exposure is unprotected as the crossing has no guard rail and yet it is less dangerous than sections of the narrow trail that lead up to it.

     Like Washington State fire lookout towers, the man-made Kendall Katwalk is a destination of distinction and many make the popular day 5.5-mile, 2,700 vertical foot hike to traverse the cliff, admire the views, have lunch, take photos, and return to the trailhead at Snoqualmie Pass. Some ascend Kendall Peak on their way to the Katwalk and others go further to Gravel Lake, to camp, and Alaska Mountain to summit. In the spring, sections of the trail, named Kendall gardens, are resplendent with wildflowers. The more I hike it, the more I enjoy the beauty of the experience. Best savored early in the day and mid-week.

I have taken several spherical panoramas along the Kendall Katwalk. You can experience being there on a clear day without the long hike in. You can even see the drill marks in the central section. The 360s are hosted at 360cities.net For best viewing click on the ‘Toggle Fullscreen’ icon in the panel in the upper right of the onscreen image. Then scroll to experience the immersive image.

Kendall Katwalk, South Shoulder: www.360cities.net/image/kendall-katwalk-south-shoulder-snoqualmie-national-forest-wa-state

Kendall Katwalk, Midway: www.360cities.net/image/kendall-katwalk-midway-snoqualmie-national-forest-wa-state

Kendall Katwalk, North Shoulder: https://www.360cities.net/image/kendall-katwalk-north-shoulder-snoqualmie-national-forest-wa-state