About this Event
Middle Fork Snoqualmie River has become my painting hide out from a bustle of a city life over the past few years. There is a long paved road along the river that leads to a long unpaved road that leads to a dead end and the only purpose of the road is for hikers to access myriads of trails and for nature lovers to hang out, and for painters to paint.
There are many spots along the river to paint. You can paint the river, the mountains, the mossy green inner forest, little streams falling into river, bridges over the river or streams, or trails weaving between trees. There might even be some flowers. The beginning of trail to Pratt Balcony usually has forest meadows with flowers.
You can also hike up to Pratt Balcony or Garfield Ledge for a view over the whole valley. Both are good spots for panoramic paintings. Pratt Balcony has south-facing and north-facing views. Garfield Ledge is shorter and easier hike and has better south-facing view (no north-facing view).
I usually paint in little nooks with parking for a single car to spend time in solitude but this time I'll be at the largest parking lot to meet and greet you. So, you can take one of my spots. :)
This is a very popular location with hikers. Parking lots to most popular hikes (like Mailbox Peak and Pratt Balcony) fill up pretty early. I suggest arriving early to have more options.
Facilitator: Vitali Prokopenko [email protected] Phone 425-702-0199
Meeting location:
Feel free to stop and paint at any spots along the river. I'll be painting and meeting you 8am-10am at suspension bridge. Here are coordinates: 47.547035, -121.537249. It is a short walk from a large parking lot.
Lunch plans, Bring sack lunch or restaurant/grocery suggestions:
Bring sack lunch. It is a long drive to the closest store or restaurant. Let's meet at the table near the large parking lot where short walk to the suspension bridge begins 11:30-12:30. We can share what we painted in the morning.
After lunch, if a new location, time and what is there:
You can stay at the same location or pick another location. Look at the map for options or I can give you some suggestions.
End of day plan :There is no end of day plans. Note that sun drops below the mountains early which limits opportunities for evening painting. Please share your paintings in PAWA Facebook group afterwards.
Directions :
Note the map shown in Eventbrite does not correctly identify the meeting location. Use the co-ordinates below for an exact match, or you can use “Gateway” Suspension Bridge in Google Maps or The Gateway Bridge in Apple Maps to get you very close and you’ll be able to see the facilitator.
Use coordinates 47.547035, -121.537249 for navigation. Make sure to enter directions ahead of time as there is no cell phone reception.
Driving I-90 East (from Seattle/Eastside) take exit 34 and turn left onto 486th Ave SE or driving I-90 West (from Snoqualmie Pass) take exit 34 and turn right onto 486th Ave SE.
Follow 486th Ave SE, there will be gas stations and truck stops on both sides of the road.
Once you pass them the road veers a bit to the left. There will be one more turn onto gravel road for commercial trucks, skip it, and immediately after that there is a sharp turn onto SE Middle Fork Road. Take it and follow the road. There will be Twin Falls Middle School on your left. Continue to follow the road.
At some point the road will fork. You can take either one they join back together. The one lane road to the right is easier.
When the roads join continue following SE Middle Fork Road there will be a sign "No cell phone connection" or something like that. Just continue going.
Now you're on NFD Road 5060. Just keep going. It is a long road with views of the river and parking lots along the road.
At some point you will come to a T-intersection where the road forward will be narrower and will not have middle stripe separating the lanes. You will need to turn right into the parking lot at that intersection. That's the parking lot where we meet.
From the parking lot find a trailhead there is a big announcement board there and a vault toilet. A very short, leveled walk along the trail will take you to the suspension bridge.
Recommended lodging/camping (even for one-day events):
The closest lodging would be in North Bend. Dispersed camping is not allowed along the road anymore.
FAQ
What should I/shouldn't I bring to the event?
Bring drinking water, food, sunhat and sunscreen. Light jacket is recommended. It is usually cold along the river in the morning even on a hot day.
Is there water, bathrooms, shelter available?
No water. Vault toilets available at many parking lots. Plenty of shade from trees. No shelter to hide from rain.
Is there cell coverage at the location?
No
Other notes about this event - include parking info, whether a pass is needed:
Washington State Park pass is required in *all* parking lots along NFD Road 5060 which is the road following the river.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
"Gateway" Suspension Bridge, ., North Bend, United States
USD 0.00
