Quick Trip to Franklin Falls | WA State

This past weekend saw stormy grey skies over Seattle. With such gloomy omens overhead, I almost didn’t want to get out of the house, but my friend Matt said “Yes, let’s” so off we went.

Lucky we did, because as we drove into the Cascade mountains the clouds broke, the sun came out, and we were greeted with all the splendor of a clear fall day. They say if you don’t like the weather in the Pacific Northwest to wait 5 minutes. That certainly held true last Saturday.

Franklin Falls is a an easy little trail about an hour out of Seattle on I-90.

Just two miles and 400 feet of elevation will get you to the base of this beautiful waterfall. Along the way you’ll follow Denny Creek, getting to see its crystal clear pools and beautiful stone waterways. Because the trail isn’t too hard, it’s also busy, so be prepared for company (or at least more company than you’d usually encounter on a mountain trail).

They say in winter the waterfall turns to ice.

I definitely want to come back in the snow to see this effect! I imagine this would be an otherworldly sight wreathed in snow and ice - and potentially a bit less crowded. Always nice to find a short hike to do in colder, wintry seasons - I’ll be back, with hot chocolate.

Where are you excited to head outdoors this winter with a warm thermos?