This was also the route for the first railway line built over the Cascades. Some of the trestles are still in place, and part of the old line is used for tourist trains.
This is the Falls, with the typical end of summer water flow, that is,
not very much. After heavy rains and/or snow melt, the water level is high
enough to occupy the full width of the opening. To the right of the base
of the falls is the outlet from the power station, which is obviously operating
and reducing the flow over the falls somewhat.
Puget Sound Energy (owner and operator of the power station) is
responsible for maintaining the visitor area, and are
busily redeveloping it, as can be seen here. Fortunately there is a much larger
parking area across the road, so the loss of parking is not an issue. And, of
course, peak tourist season is over for the year.
I have riden and driven through Snoqualmie a number of times, but never stopped
to look at this very large log just across the railway line from the road.
Well, being a tourist now, I can! This is typical of the logs cut down in
the nearby forests using a very large bandsaw to create timber 3 feet square.
This was used in trestles and large buildings. See
Log Pavillion
for more information.
Another view of the log and its pavillion, with a couple having a picnic
in front, for a size comparison.
The view of the Snoqualmie Depot, as seen from the big log. The trains
along side have been restored, and are part of the tourist train operations.
The railway depot is adjacent to Snoqualmie's main street, with Mt. Si is
lurking in the background.
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