Safety issues force closure of Snoqualmie Falls lower observation deck, boardwalk

If you’re planning to take the popular, approximate 1-mile trail to the bottom of Snoqualmie Falls to enjoy in the lower viewing deck, you’re going to have to wait until [at least] spring.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE), which owns Snoqualmie Falls Park, has closed the busy boardwalk and lower observation deck for the fall and winter. Note: the trail is still open.

Sign noting lower viewpoint closure at Snoqualmie Falls upper trailhead

According to PSE Media Engagement Program Manager Andrew Padula,
the walkway to the lower observation deck at Snoqualmie Falls will be closed during the ‘off-season’ for an in-depth inspection. [He confirmed off-season means a fall and winter closure.]

Padula commented, “Safety is a priority for Puget Sound Energy, and recent indications are that the boardwalk is in need of replacement or extensive repair. Maintaining a wood structure in this damp location has presented some unique challenges. We know this will be inconvenient for our visitors, but we thank you for your patience. The upper observation deck remains open for our visitors to enjoy.”

There is currently a sign at the upper Snoqualmie Falls trailhead noting the closure.

The boardwalk and observation deck at lower Snoqualmie Falls were part of a 3-year, $265 million renovation of the PSE hydroelectric plant and park that was completed in the summer of 2013.

More than 1.5 million people visit the Snoqualmie Falls Park each year.

View of Snoqualmie Falls from the lower viewpoint observation deck.

Comments are closed.

Comments

  • In case you still have Padula on the phone- last time I went swimming below the falls a young Native American woman started yelling at me. I tried to explain that I’d been doing it off and on for about twice as long as she’d been alive, but she didn’t want to hear it. What’s PSE’s position? (Yeah, I know it’s closed now, that’s not what I’m talking about).

  • […] A popular Seattle-area tourist attraction, this short but steep trail was my then-four year old’s first completely unassisted hike! We started from the top of the falls, enjoying the strong mist at two ADA-friendly viewpoints before heading down the dirt trail towards the base of the falls. At times, we wondered just how we would make it all the way back up to the top, but the out-and-back trek was surprisingly easy with a bit of creative play (like looking through hollow logs, wondering whether shadows were bears, pretending a certain tree stump was a potty 😔, etc…) Please note that at the time of writing, the lower viewpoint area is closed for repairs. […]

  • 12-Jan-2020
    It is certainly understandable that PSE should close the boardwalk if it is not safe to use it, however a renovation and reopening timetable would be appreciated. Is there funding bugeted for the repairs? Will the boardwalk be expanded or modified for even more spectacular viewpoints?
    Thank you for the information.

  • Discover more from Living Snoqualmie

    Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

    Continue reading