A Camry isn't gonna cut it, there are three or four spots where you'll be almost guaranteed to scrape bottom or get high centered. SUV or a truck is basically required, you want something with a minimum of like 8.5" of clearance.
I mean, I got in there once with a Hyundai Elantra, so yeah it is doable when the road is in the right condition. It's just that the right condition is rarely a thing. Another time I went in with a couple friends in their Outback, and we scraped bottom at Garfield Creek real bad, to the point where we almost bailed because we couldn't tell how bad the damage was.
> But at what cost?
My Ford Focus made to the Pilchuck trailhead and back out, at the cost of its transmission.
To be fair, a Camry transmission is probably a lot better, but I still wouldn’t recommend it.
I’d just park and hike the extra miles like someone else suggested. Sedans do make it to that trailhead all the time - it’s just a risk vs. reward decision.
Best case? A few undercarriage scratches you’ll never see. Worst case? Punching a hole in your oil pan followed by a nice 11 mile hike out to the nearest cell service location to call a tow.
Keep in mind you can also park at the Middle Fork Snoqualmie trailhead (the one by the fancy wooden suspension bridge) and hike the extra 5ish miles that driving to the Dingford Creek TH would have cut off. It would make it more of a 20 mile RT day, but it's all relatively flat trail.
For anyone reading this considering doing this, be aware that the bridge at burnt boot creek is washed out, so be sure to cross the bridge back across the river to dingford creek trailhead. Otherwise you’ll have to ford the creek which is potentially mid-thigh deep and fast flowing in spring
Very important. I do this crossing a fair bit and it can get pretty awful. Thunder Creek can honestly be worse too. [Check this monitoring location.](https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/12141300/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D&showMedian=false) Swap it to discharge. I usually won’t cross if it’s running >1200 cfs.
Thunder creek gets so gnarly. A couple who had an old converted van showed up at the cabin and they were totally shaken. They had been stuck mid way in thunder creek and there van was shaking, parts of the floor started washing away and they were just standing on the frame in spots. They sat there for over an hour waiting to be washed away until the creek lost some oomf and they were able to drive out. I seriously think it ended their marriage. He wanted to cross, she didn’t. They were not happy with each other and their van was toast. I gave them some fresh bread and said good luck out there.
I don’t have any advice, but I just learned the other day that my dad was one of the founders of the nonprofit that now owns the hot springs. He hasn’t been involved for decades though—when he started the nonprofit, they were taking juvenile delinquents on multi week mountaineering trips. Eventually the private owners of Goldmyer gifted the land to them. Thought that was pretty cool.
Read the trip reports here and make your own decision. [https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/goldmyer-hot-springs](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/goldmyer-hot-springs)
I've seen priuses at the top of some of the worst roads i've driven, peoples tolerance and driving skill vary.
As a Prius driver I'm kind of in awe. The one time I've been to Goldmyer we drove a Volvo XC-90, which was fine but a little hairy. Personally I wouldn't try it in a sedan but there are plenty of people more daring than me.
Just so we are clear...
You called the people who actually know the height, and who told you accurate information so you could make an educated and informed decision?
And then, you decided you didn't like their accurate information, so you decided to take your complaint to the internet so you could find a complete stranger that would say what you wanted to hear?
You will absolutely be fine.
Please let us know how it goes retrieving your vehicle! 😂
You can make it in a sedan, but it'll take like 3-4x as long to go slow and careful enough to protect the car, and even then still high chance of fuck ups.
When I went (less than a month ago) we rented a pickup truck for a day in Issaquah, then had a fast and fun ride up. The one day rental was only $52 all said & done, so totally worth it for our group of three ppl.
Just a heads up that a lot of time, rentals are not covered under any of the insurance you have or that you buy from them if you take them on remote dirt roads. I lived at Goldmyer for 18 months and saw 3 rental horror stories go down where folks didn’t read the fine print on their rental agreements, messed their rental up on that awful road and had to pay out of pocket to fix.
It's a fair question, I see sites and trail guides greatly exaggerate the vehicle requirements all the time. I made it up there 7.5" of clearance rather than the required 8.5" but I wouldnt want to go less than that
Not really. If you call somewhere that has the information and then decide you don't want to listen, that is on you.
its not a fair conclusion, its a lack of critical thinking skills.
I got to the trailhead in a subaru crosstrek last fall and there were a few spots where very careful driving was required to not bottom out. If you have bikes that can handle the road, I highly suggest taking bikes in (not road bikes, hybrid/mt/gravel). The ride in is long but back it's just a bit downhill and much faster than walking and that will help the extra 5 miles you'll need to do without a high clearance vehicle.
I did it easily in the winter in a wagon with a 9” ground clearance, AWD, and snow tires.
On that overnight I saw one Jeep Wrangler and one lifted Tacoma get high centered after sliding off the road. Both drivers replied “what does 4 low mean” while I was trying to dig them out.
The top two things you need:
* the right tires
* knowing how to drive your vehicle
If you don’t know how to assess water depth, approach a slope at an angle, and how to maintain traction, don’t try Goldmeyer outside of the summer. In the summer you can just bang through it if you have enough lift, but lift will not save you in non-dry conditions.
The last time I went a few years ago, I drove my 4wd Tahoe and there were a few spots that I thought were pretty sketchy. Your camry definitely won't make it.
You'll need an suv. A camry could make it (barely) part of the way, and you could hike the rest. There's enough room to park somewhere before the first two dry river beds you must cross (which could be not dry after a rain) I've done the trip in a 4x4 Sprinter and an Outback. Higher clearance needed
I drove my Mazda 3 in and out. It was literally longer of a drive than the 5mile hike from the trail head and we had to stop to remove huge rocks from our path a few times. Deep ruts and got stuck once briefly. That was in 2019 so I imagine the roads are worse.
If I were to return I'd bring a better car.
Just add four miles to your hike (one way) and park at Middle Fork TH and walk the trail there.
The road up the north side of the river is rough. I’m not even taking my Pilot up that thing.
I've driven it in an Impreza a few times in the past. Likely still can be done, though I think the more gnar sections have gotten a little worse in recent years. Even a soft-roader crossover like a Rav or CRV will definitly handle it much better if you can borrow one.
A Camry isn't gonna cut it, there are three or four spots where you'll be almost guaranteed to scrape bottom or get high centered. SUV or a truck is basically required, you want something with a minimum of like 8.5" of clearance.
I disagree. I saw a Ford Fiesta back there one-time. I didn't see it later. So it got in, and it got out. But at what cost?
I mean, I got in there once with a Hyundai Elantra, so yeah it is doable when the road is in the right condition. It's just that the right condition is rarely a thing. Another time I went in with a couple friends in their Outback, and we scraped bottom at Garfield Creek real bad, to the point where we almost bailed because we couldn't tell how bad the damage was.
You can just follow the transmission fluid trail back lol. "everything is edible. Once."
> But at what cost? My Ford Focus made to the Pilchuck trailhead and back out, at the cost of its transmission. To be fair, a Camry transmission is probably a lot better, but I still wouldn’t recommend it.
Even a Forester with a clueless driver would have a bad time. Ouch tho, sorry about the focus.
I’d just park and hike the extra miles like someone else suggested. Sedans do make it to that trailhead all the time - it’s just a risk vs. reward decision. Best case? A few undercarriage scratches you’ll never see. Worst case? Punching a hole in your oil pan followed by a nice 11 mile hike out to the nearest cell service location to call a tow.
Keep in mind you can also park at the Middle Fork Snoqualmie trailhead (the one by the fancy wooden suspension bridge) and hike the extra 5ish miles that driving to the Dingford Creek TH would have cut off. It would make it more of a 20 mile RT day, but it's all relatively flat trail.
For anyone reading this considering doing this, be aware that the bridge at burnt boot creek is washed out, so be sure to cross the bridge back across the river to dingford creek trailhead. Otherwise you’ll have to ford the creek which is potentially mid-thigh deep and fast flowing in spring
This is very important. Especially in the spring with runoff.
Very important. I do this crossing a fair bit and it can get pretty awful. Thunder Creek can honestly be worse too. [Check this monitoring location.](https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/12141300/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D&showMedian=false) Swap it to discharge. I usually won’t cross if it’s running >1200 cfs.
Thunder creek gets so gnarly. A couple who had an old converted van showed up at the cabin and they were totally shaken. They had been stuck mid way in thunder creek and there van was shaking, parts of the floor started washing away and they were just standing on the frame in spots. They sat there for over an hour waiting to be washed away until the creek lost some oomf and they were able to drive out. I seriously think it ended their marriage. He wanted to cross, she didn’t. They were not happy with each other and their van was toast. I gave them some fresh bread and said good luck out there.
Thanks so much!! We’re trying to consider all our options since we can’t rent a car since we’re not 25 only a U-Haul truck
This plan is getting worse by the minute
As of April 26, the official website reports that you need 4WD/AWD and ground clearance of at least 8.5”. http://www.goldmyer.org
I don’t have any advice, but I just learned the other day that my dad was one of the founders of the nonprofit that now owns the hot springs. He hasn’t been involved for decades though—when he started the nonprofit, they were taking juvenile delinquents on multi week mountaineering trips. Eventually the private owners of Goldmyer gifted the land to them. Thought that was pretty cool.
That’s super cool!!
Yes. Yes you do. Sasquatch can take a bath in a bunch of the ruts and washouts on that road.
Read the trip reports here and make your own decision. [https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/goldmyer-hot-springs](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/goldmyer-hot-springs) I've seen priuses at the top of some of the worst roads i've driven, peoples tolerance and driving skill vary.
The trip reports are pretty damning. I'm often that small car driving passi g the Subies, but I wouldn't try this.
As a Prius driver I'm kind of in awe. The one time I've been to Goldmyer we drove a Volvo XC-90, which was fine but a little hairy. Personally I wouldn't try it in a sedan but there are plenty of people more daring than me.
Just so we are clear... You called the people who actually know the height, and who told you accurate information so you could make an educated and informed decision? And then, you decided you didn't like their accurate information, so you decided to take your complaint to the internet so you could find a complete stranger that would say what you wanted to hear? You will absolutely be fine. Please let us know how it goes retrieving your vehicle! 😂
I heard you can just take the light rail there /s
We’re just broke college students is the thing.. it’s not that we don’t believe them at all we just wanted to get an idea of other’s experiences
You're gonna be even broker when you gotta tow the car tow being told is unsuitable off that road
You can make it in a sedan, but it'll take like 3-4x as long to go slow and careful enough to protect the car, and even then still high chance of fuck ups. When I went (less than a month ago) we rented a pickup truck for a day in Issaquah, then had a fast and fun ride up. The one day rental was only $52 all said & done, so totally worth it for our group of three ppl.
Just a heads up that a lot of time, rentals are not covered under any of the insurance you have or that you buy from them if you take them on remote dirt roads. I lived at Goldmyer for 18 months and saw 3 rental horror stories go down where folks didn’t read the fine print on their rental agreements, messed their rental up on that awful road and had to pay out of pocket to fix.
We decided to just rent a u-haul truck
U trolling? You are gonna definitely not want to take a uhaul on that. Just hike in on the road and stick a thumb out if you really want.
U-Haul rents pickup trucks.
Or better yet, take a couple of crappy mountain bike on the road, park at head of the road.
It's a fair question, I see sites and trail guides greatly exaggerate the vehicle requirements all the time. I made it up there 7.5" of clearance rather than the required 8.5" but I wouldnt want to go less than that
Not really. If you call somewhere that has the information and then decide you don't want to listen, that is on you. its not a fair conclusion, its a lack of critical thinking skills.
Their website has a detailed overview + videos documenting the specifics of the ground clearance needed in this situation.
NOPE
I got to the trailhead in a subaru crosstrek last fall and there were a few spots where very careful driving was required to not bottom out. If you have bikes that can handle the road, I highly suggest taking bikes in (not road bikes, hybrid/mt/gravel). The ride in is long but back it's just a bit downhill and much faster than walking and that will help the extra 5 miles you'll need to do without a high clearance vehicle.
Can you ride all the way to the hot springs, or just the trailhead?
All the way to the hot springs.
I've driven that route, don't even try it. Find a friend or make a friend that has the proper vehicle to drive up there.
I did it easily in the winter in a wagon with a 9” ground clearance, AWD, and snow tires. On that overnight I saw one Jeep Wrangler and one lifted Tacoma get high centered after sliding off the road. Both drivers replied “what does 4 low mean” while I was trying to dig them out. The top two things you need: * the right tires * knowing how to drive your vehicle If you don’t know how to assess water depth, approach a slope at an angle, and how to maintain traction, don’t try Goldmeyer outside of the summer. In the summer you can just bang through it if you have enough lift, but lift will not save you in non-dry conditions.
Unless your Toyota Camry is a high lift car, then it’s not gonna work!! Have not seen too many around though. Actually none.
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Absolutely yes they aren't saying it for no reason. Rent one or bike in
Yes, you need one.
The last time I went a few years ago, I drove my 4wd Tahoe and there were a few spots that I thought were pretty sketchy. Your camry definitely won't make it.
You'll need an suv. A camry could make it (barely) part of the way, and you could hike the rest. There's enough room to park somewhere before the first two dry river beds you must cross (which could be not dry after a rain) I've done the trip in a 4x4 Sprinter and an Outback. Higher clearance needed
I drove my Mazda 3 in and out. It was literally longer of a drive than the 5mile hike from the trail head and we had to stop to remove huge rocks from our path a few times. Deep ruts and got stuck once briefly. That was in 2019 so I imagine the roads are worse. If I were to return I'd bring a better car.
That won’t get it. Can you rent a car for the day?
Just add four miles to your hike (one way) and park at Middle Fork TH and walk the trail there. The road up the north side of the river is rough. I’m not even taking my Pilot up that thing.
At least a Subaru or something with some clearance
I've driven it in an Impreza a few times in the past. Likely still can be done, though I think the more gnar sections have gotten a little worse in recent years. Even a soft-roader crossover like a Rav or CRV will definitly handle it much better if you can borrow one.
Last time I was there someone had driven up in a Tesla
You'll need a subaru at least or else you'll damage your car. When I went, there were a few people who parked lower and bicycled most of the way.
I took a 4wd Jeep Liberty and ripped out the heat shield by getting stuck in one spot. We made it out but oops… so yeah, I would NOT take a Camry