Twin Falls Trail - Olallie State Park

While this hike can be started from either trailhead, most find that the 2.5 mile out and back hike from the Twin Falls Trailhead to the Upper Falls Viewpoint is the easier and more scenic route.

Getting to the Trailhead:
Take I-90 Exit 34 just east of North Bend. Drive south on 468th Ave SE for approximately one mile (follow the brown Olallie State Park signs). Turn left on SE 159th St and follow it approximately one mile. This road ends at the Twin Falls Trailhead.

For the first half mile, the trail follows the path of the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. Several small swimming holes can be found in this area and are popular for cooling off on a hot summer day.

After leaving the river, the trail climbs 500 feet over the next quarter mile. At the 0.75 mile mark, the trail crests a ridge where you will get your first glimpse of Twin Falls. A couple of benches make this a nice resting spot.

This makes a good turn around point for those with small children since only half of the climbing to the bridge is complete.

After descending from the bench viewpoint, the trail passes an old growth Douglas Fir tree that is protected by a fence. This old giant is over 32 feet around the base of its trunk (10 feet in diameter) and is estimated to be between 400 to 700 years old.

After climbing another 400 feet, just over the 1 mile mark, you will see a set of stairs descend down the side of the canyon. Follow these stairs to the best view of the falls in the entire park, the Lower Falls Viewpoint.

Less than a quarter mile past the stairs to the Lower Falls Viewpoint, you will reach the Twin Falls Bridge. The bridge traverses a narrow canyon and passes between the upper and lower cascades of Twin Falls.

While this is the most popular turn around point for most hikers, the short hike up to the Upper Falls Viewpoint is worth the effort.

A short, but steep climb past the bridge will bring you to the Upper Falls Viewpoint.

This is the last scenic view for eastbound hikers, so few continue on from here.

The first quarter mile past the Upper Falls Viewpoint is the steepest part of the entire trail. The steepness eases, but continues to climb for the next half mile. At the 2 mile mark, the Twin Falls Trail intersects with the John Wayne Pioneer Trail.

The John Wayne Pioneer Trail is a rails to trails conversion of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad that runs 108 miles from Cedar Falls (North Bend) to Thorpe.

Head east on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail for a half mile until you see another trail junction on the left. This quarter mile access trail takes you to the Homestead Valley Trailhead.

The Homestead Valley Trailhead is accessed by I-90 Exit 38.