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    Hikes/United States/Washington State/Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

    Old Commonwealth Trail

    Difficulty
    This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
    Hard
    Duration
    This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
    4-5.5h
    Distance
    This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
    11.3 km
    Elevation
    This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
    737 m
    User Ratings
    These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
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    Old Commonwealth Trail is a hard hike in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest that is used year-round for hiking and snowshoeing. Expect several river crossings, great views, and long talus crossing. This trail used to be longer, but part of it is decommissioned. This guide will only describe the commissioned first section.

    There is some overgrowth at the beginning of this hike, but it’s nothing impassable.

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    Route Description for Old Commonwealth Trail

    Old Commonwealth Trail is a great hike throughout the year, although it shines in the summer months. If you come in shoulder season, download your map to guide you through snowy sections where the trail may become difficult to follow.

    Begin at the PCT trailhead. The Old Commonwealth Trail splits off left from the PCT very quickly—take this. Stay right through two junctions and cross the creek. This first mile or so is quite flat and relaxed, but also deep in thick brush and potentially overgrown.

    When you cross Commonwealth Creek, look for a bridge to use to cross and then return to the trail. Head northwest, you’ll merge onto Commonwealth Basin Trail. A handful of stream crossings lead you up to where you’ll begin to climb a bit more aggressively, hiking through very narrow switchbacks up to Red Pond.

    Stay left at the junction around 1,480 m and then right at the next (the path to the left just quickly takes you to the shore of the pond). The maintained section of the trail ends shortly after the pond. Here, turn around and retrace your steps to the trailhead.

    Getting to the Old Commonwealth Trail Trailhead

    The trailhead for the Old Commonwealth Trail is in Snoqualmie Pass at the PCT trailhead off Alpental Access Road.

    Route Information

    • Backcountry Campground

      No

    • When to do

      May-November

    • Pets allowed

      Yes - On Leash

    • Family friendly

      No

    • Route Signage

      Poor

    • Crowd Levels

      Low

    • Route Type

      Out and back

    Old Commonwealth Trail Elevation Graph

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