May I ask why it’s your fave? I’m always looking to wander. Is Franklin worth the trek?

There's something about the area that has fascinated me since I was a kid. I have very vivid memories of stumbling along the banks as a young kid(like age 4, maybe 3). I grew up fishing and swimming in the river. There was almost a second home kind of feeling to it. As I grew older and my hobbies began to get more set in stone(I'm a geologist), I began to get curious to the who, what, where, when, why and how. The research I did into the area only amplified my curiosity. There's just something about it that my mind always wanders around in. I'm not convinced that if I went to an afterlife, it wouldn't be amoung the Cedar trees along the rivers banks. Franklin's stories of being a former mining town with 1,000 people in it, now abandoned, and the stories around it in places like Ravensdale, Cumberland, Bayne, Selleck and Black Diamond are a somewhat overlooked place in King County, despite the coal production that helped with the regional growth. I'm pretty damn lucky to work with the museum in Black Diamond, and they encourage me to keep learning and growing and, most of all, sharing. There's no better joy I get then when someone has a good experience with us, be it in Franklin or in the museum or on a hike I take people on, when they tell me "I've been here 5, 10, 15, 20, 30+ years and I'm amazed this place exisits". It's a really unique and special spot I get to share with people why its so special and important. I think legendary mountaineering, kayaking, conservationist Wolf Bauer put it best when he described it as "A Ribbon of Wilderness in our Midst."

I definitely get the personal connection to a place But man WA has a-lot of cool/fascinating and very unique places to offer. There are countless small communities and oddities out in the san Juans and Eastern Wa that are unlike anywhere in the world. Often these places are overlooked by Seattleite wetsiders that think King County is all of Wa. Some of these places that would fascinate the hell out people visiting. That being said one of my favorite places in Washington is Coles Corner lol nothing special i just have a personal connection to it since my family has had property there for over 100 years. I have explored just about every corner of this state in my 30+ years, born and raised here. I just don’t see Franklin as all that fascinating.

It's fascinating how people have their own little retreat in the world where we feel the most comfortable. I've been eyeing Eastern WA more and more lately(just sucks winter makes travel hard). I think my close second would be Sun Lakes State Park, but that's cause I believe there's no better place for cliff jumping in the state. I've never had a bad experience there (expect for when I was drinking), and people are always so friendly.

Coles Corner is close to some great access to Lake Wenatchee, I must say. I have fond memories of climbing some of the mountains in the area. Some with views of Glacier Peak are unforgettable. You're very lucky to be able to have a spot over there.

What is this vault for ? Is it part of a dam or culvert ?

It's an air shaft for one of the many mines

I second Sun Lakes, there’s something about that coulee country. Driving from there to Grand Coulee at sunset is spectacular!

During the late evening, just as the sun is almost gone, standing at the Dry Valleys Visitor Center, as the frogs and birds hum there evening songs.. I could stand on the edge of that dry falls all night.

Sun lakes is one of our go to summer camping spots. Its only about 1 1/2 hours from my house. Been going there since i was knee high. That reminds me of another awesome place for camping and cliff jumping. Moran State Park/ Midway campground on Orcas Island. Its Phenomenal you camp right on Cascade lake witch is a no motor lake. Kayak/paddleboard around to the various cliffs to jump off. You can also hike to the top of nearby Mt. Constitution and get a full 360 view of the islands. Truly no place like it.

I'm jealous on the 90-minute drive for you. It's 3.5 hours for me.

I stay at Moran when I go to Doe Bay resort for the hot tubs. The ferry ride out there is great

It's really grate!

Sorry. I am, in fact, a dad....

Yeah i moved from Auburn to Ellensburg 4 years ago for this reason. I find most of my favorite and most traveled to places to actually be on the east side of the mountains. Love it over here!

Sounds like a place I’ll definitely be checking out. Thanks for the great description 🍺

If you ever want a tour of Franklin or the museum, I'd be glad to show you any time.

It’s OK. Some of us have been making dad jokes since we learned to talk!

Interesting! I’ve lived in Washington all my 45 years, and my job involves knowing state geography pretty well, but I’d never heard of Franklin until today.

Thanks for expanding my world!

i'll come take a look.

The one place I need to spend time in more is up near Kettle Falls and Republic area.. Heard its really nice out there.

If you'd like a tour, message me any time and I'll make time.

I was just hiking up here last weekend. Some of the trails are hella overgrown with thorny blackberry. Wear thick pants!

Bring a big jug of water and fill up at the natural spring there. It's free (but donations are recommended).

It's been a real nasty issue for the last few years due to budget cuts in the state. While I can't say much in detail, the problem is going to be taken care of in spades.

That brings back memories. We partied there in the early 90s.

Goats?

Hi Dad! I'm Dad! Dadorama, daderino, the dadinator!

Yes very nice area my grandparents live in Northport so i do spend some time in that area. If you are ever up in that corner of the state make the trek to the small town of Metaline Falls. Nearby is Crawford state park and Gardener Cave system that has free guided tours. I find this area very peaceful almost whimsical. It hidden gem for sure.

That place is a real grate!

Park up the road, on the road to black diamond, at the old cemetery for free.

Walk back down the road to the gate.

It's free to visit.

Shovels I think he said.

Where would you take an 8 year old rockhounding for rocks, quartz or crystals?

That's grate.

Franklin was one of the first places we explored when we moved to Maple Valley 7 years ago. The remains of an old coal car trestle…my son and dog in the corner for perspective

Glad you found the area.

The trestle was for the water pipe from town, going back towards Black Diamond. There were a few mines above and below the cemetery that have since been sealed or collapsed. Housing was also along the former railroad grade, which is below the trail from the airshaft to the cemetery, can just barely make it out if you look over the side of the hill. We have the receipts from the contractor that installed it and for the actual wood pipe its self at the museum. Can still find some evidence of it, although nature has reclaimed most it, some of the metal pipes have been documented.

If you're ever interested, would be glad to show around some of the area and other sites. Just send me a message.

If you're ever interested in learning more or visiting the area, I'd be glad to show you around.

The spring water is truly the best

I primarily go after Petrified wood, Geodes, Agates and Fossils more then Crystals. I defiantly have some and occasionally will look if I'm near a site but my neighbor (who is also a lapidary) is my primary source, as he goes after Quartz scepters and Amethysts, so we end up trading a lot.

The Book "Gem Trail of Washington" by Garret Romaine is a good resource for well known sites. The Washington Department of Natural Resources has a whole page devoted to rockhounding in the local area. Depending on your location, Rock Clubs will also some times do member tours where they all collectively(see what I did there?) go out together and find goodies. I did one up to Baker Lake and Walker Valley and had a good time on both.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you have further questions!

Awesome info; we may take you up on that!!

Thanks much for the information. I'll check out the site/book. I'm in Bellingham so Baker Lake is certainly reachable. We've gone to the fossil fields near Mosquito Lake Road and found lots of plant fossils.

The most exciting thing in the world would be to find a geode in the wild but just being in the woods or on a stream is fun. I assume you're referring to the Walker Valley near Big Lake?

Yep, Walker Valley is a fairly well traversed site but is easy to get to. Only a short way off road.

I get real giddy when I find a good sized piece of petrified wood(fist sized or bigger). I typically don't hold on to much though, often give it away to friends kids who are intrested in it and there parents can't or won't take them to look. Working on my next round of leaf and fern fossils for gift actually as I type this..

Great l place for a nice long hike and you can also get free clean water before your hike about half a block away, cross the bridge...