National Trails Day 2025 – Garfield Ledges

Join us in maintaining this popular, strenuous hike to sweeping views of the Middle Fork Valley! Using hand tools we will repair eroded sections of trail on this moderately steep 1.1-mile hiking route.

What to Expect

We will have fun and work at our own pace during this 3-hour work party. Our tasks will include clearing trail-side vegetation, maintaining and improving trail drainage, and improving eroded trail in select areas. No prior experience is necessary. Since some work will be moderately physically challenging, please know that light-duty tasks can be made available. This project is on mountainous terrain and requires moderate hiking, as the work is several hundred feet in elevation above the trailhead.

• 8:45 to 9:00 AM: sign in and meet your leader and team
• 9:00 AM: safety and project orientation
• Noon: we will wrap up work in time for a Cheers for Volunteers afterparty with food, drinks, and giveaways at the Middle Fork Trailhead. Please join us!

Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/PPHmJxqqgeD2

Please plan for about an hour drive from Seattle.

From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 34 (Edgewick Road). Turn left (north) onto 468th Ave SE and follow it to the junction with the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road (Forest Road 56). Turn right and continue up the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road for 11.8 miles to the Middle Fork trailhead. Look for Greenway signs and staff.

NW Forest Pass required

Garfield Ledges Trail is a short but rewarding hike located near North Bend, Washington, in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This trail is known for its breathtaking panoramic views, moderate difficulty, and relatively short distance (1.1 miles), making it a great choice for a quick outdoor adventure. The Greenway coalition constructed Garfield Ledges Trail in 2018. Read more about those efforts here: https://mtsgreenway.org/blog/building-the-garfield-ledges-trail-in-the-middle-fork-valley/

For more than two decades, the Mountains to Sound Greenway has worked with many partners as part of a coalition to conserve and enhance the scenic Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River Valley. The Middle Fork is a treasure for anyone living in or visiting the greater Seattle area. A person seeking a day of adventure could leave downtown Seattle and, in less than an hour’s time, reach the gateway to pristine Cascades wilderness in the Middle Fork Valley. From there, one can set out on any number of trails leading to mountain peaks, hidden lakes, or old-growth forests.

Reminder: there is no cell phone reception beyond Mailbox Peak Trailhead in the Middle Fork. Please be prepared.