Snoqualmie Valley

The Snoqualmie River carves a valley through the western Cascade foothills before plunging 270 feet over Snoqualmie Falls a cascade 100 feet taller than Niagara, carrying more volume during peak melt season and easily accessible from a short trail and viewing platform operated by Puget Sound Energy. The Salish Lodge sits directly above the falls, offering one of Washington's most atmospheric settings for a meal with the spray and roar of the falls below. The town of North Bend served as the filming location for David Lynch's Twin Peaks series; the RW-style Twede's Café (renamed Mar T's in the show) still serves the cherry pie and coffee that fueled Agent Cooper's investigation, and the production sites attract dedicated fans from around the world. The Snoqualmie Valley Trail runs 31 miles along the riverbank as a paved path for cycling and walking. Carnation is the valley's agricultural hub, with certified organic farms, a local brewery, and U-pick berry operations in summer. Mount Si, rising 4,167 feet directly above North Bend, is one of Washington's most heavily hiked mountains, with 8 miles round trip and 3,150 feet of gain.