Old Commonwealth Trail

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
Old Commonwealth Trail Elevation Graph
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Nearby Trails
- Lundin Peak View and Red Mountain via Old Commonwealth Trail
- Snow Lake, Gem Lake, and Upper Wildcat Lake
- Gem Lake via Snow Lake and High Lakes Trail
- Red Mountain via Old Commonwealth Trail
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- Lodge Lake Trail
- Wright Mountain Hike
- Franklin Falls via National Forest Development Road 58
- Kaleetan Peak Trail
- Snoqualmie Mountain Trail
- Kendall Katwalk Trail
- Snow Lake Hike