Top Six Snowshoe Spots in Western, WA
Being an avid skier always distracts me from the long dreary Seattle winters. The bright white snow seems to bring me cheer in addition to the challenge and pure joy of the sport.
However, a non-skiing partner, our love of hiking and increased downhill ski crowds leads me to further explore local snowshoes as an additional alternative to Pacific Northwest winters.
The quiet and solitude of trudging along in soft, fluffy new snow through northwest forests of fir, spruce, hemlock and cedar, blanketed in white, is so peaceful and centering. The frequent mountain views accompanying each hike are often breathtaking. Snowshoeing is a welcome change of pace from downhill skiing and great exercise too.
We look forward to the beauty and calming effects of these treks, so we choose hikes with low avalanche risk and no snowmobiles. It’s no surprise that mileage (round trip below) and elevation gain in snow requires different energy than hiking and it varies widely depending on snow conditions.
So, without further ado here are our current (I will update annually) top six snowshoe spots in Western Washington:
1. Snoqualmie Pass, Lake Keechelus – 4 miles, 200 feet (or Windy Pass via Mt Catherine – 8 miles, 2,300 feet)
Lake Keechelus was my first snowshoe in Western WA after moving back to the area from Colorado. I recall it being so magical looking out across snow encircled Lake Keechelus up to Rampart Ridge despite the proximity to I-90 - it still is today! This is a great place to try out snowshoeing, enjoy with the family or just get a quick “mountain fix” since it is less than an hour from Seattle.
Lake Keechelus, WA
Park at the Hyak Sno-Park. You will need a daily or seasonal Sno-Park permit AND a Groomed Trail Sticker (they sell them in the parking lot for the day). Instead of following the groomed cross-country ski trails (John Wayne Trail), I suggest following the snowshoe signs on your left down to the path along the lake. You can even walk out onto the little snow-covered peninsula which juts out into the lake. At mile 2 there are a couple of avalanche chutes, beware, this may be where you want to turn around.
Another popular and more rigorous snowshoe from this Sno-Park is to hike to the summit of Mt Catherine via Windy Pass. You will reach Windy Pass in 3 miles after climbing to 3,800 feet. You can enjoy the vistas from here or continue to the peak of Mt Catherine, 5052 feet, in another mile. After lunch just return the way you came.
2. Crystal Mountain, Bullion Basin – 4.5 miles, 1,500 feet, up to the ridge (or a variety of other routes in the area)
I cannot begin to count the number of times that Tom has hiked this beautiful and heart pumping snowshoe while I have been out skiing. It is the perfect way to savor peaceful time in the snowy scenic mountains while getting some nice cardio in less than half a day. Crystal Mountain is 100 miles, two hours, from Seattle.
Begin at the T&T snowshoe trail, which is just to the left, east, of the chapel, at the base of the ski area. Your heart will begin pounding as you go straight up the ski slope for a short distance. Once to the intersection of Mary Lee and Blue Bell Loop go straight on Mary Lee until you come to Bullion Loop Trail. Turn left and walk a short distance to Ted’s Trail. After you cross a creek on a little wooden bridge you know you are on the right trail and there are no more intersections.
At the top of Ted’s Trail, about halfway to the basin, you will get your first glimpse of the full ski area to your west – love this! From here on you are off the official map but just follow the trail up. When you can look back and see Mt Rainer poking up over the top of the Crystal Mountain summit you will know you are getting close.
Crystal Mountain, WA from Bullion Basin snowshoe
The basin is a great place for a snack or lunch. The main picture on this blog post is the basin. Take in the ridgeline that surrounds the basin. From here you can decide whether to go back down or head up the trail to your left and enjoy the vistas (ski area and Mt Rainier) from the ridge.
Crystal Mountain has developed a system of easy, moderate and hard snowshoe trails below Bullion Basin. These are great for all abilities and ages. Click here for information and the map. There are also signs along the trails, which are often groomed.
3. Olympic National Park, Hurricane Hill, 6 miles, 800 feet
Well, we learned the hard way that this quintessential northwest snowshoe with stellar vistas out to the Strait of San de Fuca, San Juan Islands, Olympic Mountains, the Bailey Range and Mt Olympus, is only accessible on weekends in the winter! That is right, the road from Port Angeles up to Hurricane Ridge is only open Friday-Sunday, 9am-4pm, weather dependent. Beware of weekend crowds and know that ALL vehicles must carry chains. (There are several places to rent them in Port Angeles.)
I think this might be best in the spring anyway when clear skies are more likely since the vistas take center stage. Last time we did this hike in early summer, snow was still present so there is plenty of time in the year to enjoy! We will give it another try in spring of 2021 and update you.
If you go be ready to turn around before you reach the top of Hurricane Hill since weather changes quickly, high winds are common, and avalanche risk can be a factor. There are two avalanche chutes at about the 3-mile point, thus the typical turnaround point.
We recommend taking the Edmonds ferry to Port Angeles via Port Gamble (2.5 hours from Seattle) and staying at the Olympic Lodge the night before in order to get an early start and beat the masses! It is 20 miles up from Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge.
While the logistics of this snowshoe are tough, it is more than worth it on a clear day if you can avoid the crowds!
4. Paradise, Mt Rainer National Park, Narada Falls to Reflection Lake and Lake Louise – 7 miles, 560 feet (or Narada Falls to Mazama Ridge etc)
Mt Rainer is our “home park” where we cycle and hike regularly, in the summer, from the north entrance. During the winter, only the south entrance is open due to heavy snowfall (640 inches at Paradise). Although the historic Paradise Lodge and Visitor Center at Paradise are closed all winter, the road is plowed up to Paradise, 5,400 feet, giving access to superb snowshoeing with limited crowds. It is so compelling to explore familiar territory in completely different conditions!
Reflection Lake, Mt Rainer, WA
The gate at Longmire opens between 9-11am and you must be down before the gates closes at 5pm. The only other wrinkle is that ALL cars must carry chains. They can be easily rented in Ashford, WA at Whittaker’s Mountaineering.
This snowshoe has got it all; Mt Rainer views, a lush evergreen forest, frozen lakes and is easily accessible to most of us. Be sure to stop in Longmire, get a snowshoe map and check conditions before heading up. Park in the Narada Falls parking lot 2.8 miles shy of Paradise.
Walk toward the “comfort station” and turn left at the trailhead sign. You will begin a 500-foot ascent along the Paradise River and then meander through switch backs in the forest to the top of the ridge. Make sure to follow the red and black poles and signs to Reflection Lake via Mazama Ridge avoiding avalanche risk.
At this point the fir trees open to views of jagged peaks. From here you will descend to Reflection Lake and/or Lake Louise. If the “mountain is out” it will tower over Reflection Lake – a real treat! Either way, there is no reflection in Reflection Lake this time of year. This is a great spot for lunch and turn around point.
This snowshoe cannot be beat but there are several other wonderful snowshoes out of the majestic Paradise area. Mazama Ridge, 6 miles, 900 feet, and Paradise, 4 miles, 900 feet, are also accessed from Narada Falls - fab on a clear day.
Additional snowshoes such as Panorama Point, 5 miles, 1,900 feet, and others can be accessed from Paradise. Some are not marked well, and they are above tree line so visibility can be impaired and avalanche risk is higher.
5. Longmire, Mt Rainer National Park, Rampart Ridge, 5 miles, 1,400 feet (or Carter Falls, 5.5 miles, 900 feet etc)
National Park Inn, Longmire, WA
The National Park Inn at Longmire, WA, six miles inside the Park, at 2,700 feet, is open year around for lodging and dining. Longmire is a two hour mostly rural and relaxing drive from Seattle. One of my favorite things is to sit on the Inn’s expansive front porch and gaze up at Mt Rainer from the south!
Snowshoeing down at Longmire is perfect on a day when it is “socked in” up at Paradise since you will be hiking in a lush forest of fir, spruce, hemlock and cedar.
The Rampart Ridge Loop Trail, going counterclockwise, begins on the Wonderland Trail across from the Inn. (Don’t forget to check conditions and get a map.) This portion of the trail winds through the forest and crosses the road. I like to put my snowshoes on after crossing the road! From here you will climb 1,400 feet in 1.5 miles up to the intersection with the Rampart Ridge Trail – yes it gets steep, but it is lovely.
The signage is a bit confusing so make sure to turn left at the top of the climb on Rampart Ridge Trail. You will cross an open avalanche prone area roughly halfway down the trail. If it looks questionable, simply turn around versus doing the loop. Afterwards there is a viewpoint – check it out!
Your 1.8-mile descent takes you through stately and massive evergreen trees until you are back at the Inn. Obviously, this hike can be done clockwise too!
Mt Rainer, from the National Park Inn’s porch, Longmire, WA
Other snowshoes out of Longmire are Cougar Rock Campground, 3.5 miles, 500 feet and Carter Falls, 5.5 miles 900 feet.
6. Mt Tahoma Trail System, High Hut 7.8 miles, 2,400 feet (or many others)
The little-known Mt Tahoma Trail System, a non-profit, is the largest hut to hut, no fee trail system in North America. It is just outside of Ashford, WA on the south west side of Mt Rainer. High Hut, one of three structures open for reservations, is the crown jewel of the system. It sits at top a windblown ridge featuring spectacular views of Mt Rainer, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. It is a wonderful overnight (west facing) or day trip.
On our visit we got to hike into the Yurt for the first night and went on to High Hut for the second. Yes, it is a climb but well worth it. The trail system services cross-country skiing as well as snowshoes, so it is often groomed. You will want to stay off to the side of the groomed trails. We got to explore the area in a group of four; two cross-country skiers and two snowshoers – it worked out well!
Overnight yurt, Mt Tahoma Trail System, WA
The lower Sno-Park, which serves the southern portion of the trail system, is just over two hours from Seattle. Take SR706 from Elbe to about 1 mile before Ashford and turn right on DNR 1. Follow the signs to the Sno-Park – you need a Discover Pass AND daily Sno-Park Permit OR a Seasonal Non-Motorized Sno-Park Permit.
From here start up the road on your snowshoes. You will pass two other Sno-Parks on your way before heading up some switchbacks through the lush green forest. After a low saddle at 2.6 miles, you will turn right and begin to get glimpses of Mt St Helens and Mt Adams as you continue your ascent. At 3.2 miles turn right again heading straight up the ridge, your final climb before reaching the High Hut. Enjoy!
There are many other routes on this trail system to be explored. Several are lower and, in the forest, so more suitable on windy, cloudy or lower energy days. Pick up a trail map for the entire system at Whittaker’s Mountaineering in Ashford and check out Mt Tahoma Trails Association for more information.
If you go:
Always check weather (NOAA is at weather.gov) and snow conditions (Northwest Avalanche Center is at NWAC.US)!
Additional information on routes can be found at Washington Trails Association or Snowshoe Routes Washington by Dan A Nelson.
Make sure to wear a backpack that fits well and take an aggressive version of the 10 essentials including something hot to drink.
Dress in layers!
Snowshoes can be rented at places like REI. If you choose to buy, we recommend MSR.
Don’t forget hiking, trekking or ski poles.
I will update this post annually – favorites can change. We’d love to hear about yours!
