Best Snowshoe Trips in the Cascades
Deer Lake– Wilderness lake above White Pass
Location: William O. Douglas Wilderness, White Pass Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 6.0 miles Elevation gain: 780 feet Green Trails Map: White Pass No. 303 Contact: White Pass Nordic Center Access: From Yakima or Morton follow US 12 to White Pass and proceed north to parking area near Yurt behind the Village Inn Condominiums.…
Read MoreLanham Lake—Sublime snowshoeing above Stevens Pass
Quick Facts: Location: Stevens Pass Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 3.2 miles Elevation Gain: 1,140 feet Green Trails Map: Alpine Lakes-Stevens Pass WA No. 176S Special Note: Slight avalanche concern. Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Access: From Everett head east on US 2 to Stevens Pass. Continue east for another 5.8 miles turning right into the…
Read MoreMowich Lake
Snowshoe to a “deer” location in Mount Rainier National Park Quick Facts: Location: Mount Rainier National Park Distance: 10.2 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: 1,350 feet Contact: Mount Rainier National Park Green Trails Map: Mount Rainier National Park 269SX Notes: Dogs are prohibited; Route is non-groomed and shared with skiers; National Park pass or Interagency Pass…
Read MoreHigh Hut — Snowshoe to a heavenly hut in the shadow of Rainier
Quick Facts: Location: Mount Tahoma Trails near Ashford Land Agency: Washington DNR and Mount Tahoma Trails Association Roundtrip: 8.6 miles Elevation gain: 2,400 feet Contact: Mount Tahoma Trails Association MTTA Map: Mount Tahoma Ski Trail System (MTTA) Notes: Sno-Park Pass required; Reservations required for overnight stays in hut Access: From Elbe head east 10 miles…
Read MoreClara and Marion Lakes
Quick Facts: Location: Mission Ridge, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Roundtrip: 3.2 miles Elevation Gain: 960 feet Green Trails Map: Wenatchee/ Mission Ridge, WA- No 211S Access: Follow US 2 to Wenatchee turning south onto SR 285 and continuing for 4.5 miles until it turns east to cross the Columbia River into…
Read MoreSun Top — snowshoe to a historic lookout in the shadows of Mount Rainier
Quick Facts: Location: White River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 11.0 miles Elevation gain: 3,050 feet Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Green Trails Map: Green Trails Maps – Greenwater no. 238 Notes: Sno-park Pass required. Route is non-groomed and shared with skiers (do not snowshoe on groomed ski trail). Beyond the upper…
Read MoreGoat Falls –“Kid-friendly” snowshoe trip near Mount Rainier National Park
Quick Facts: Location: White River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 2.5 miles Elevation gain: 500 feet Green Trails Map: Mount Rainier Wonderland no. 269SX Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; Snoqualmie Ranger DistrictNotes: Northwest Forest Pass required at actual trailhead. When snow level is low, parking may be a challenge. Do not block…
Read MoreSasquatch Loop — Snowshoe to a Snotel on Mount St. Helens
Quick Facts: Location: Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument Land Agency: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Roundtrip: 9.9 miles Elevation gain: 1,000 feet Contact: Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument Green Trails Map: Green Trails Mount St Helens 332S Notes: Sno-park Pass required. Do not snowshoe in cross-country ski tracks and be aware of snowmobiles on…
Read MoreKelcema Lake-Satisfying snowshoe trip to ancient forest flanked subalpine lake
Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 9.6 miles Elevation gain: 1,600 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Access: From Granite Falls, follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 23.5 miles to Deer Creek Parking…
Read MoreRiver Trail (Blue Diamond Trail)–Easily accessible and little-known trail along White River
Quick Facts: Location: White River Valley Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Round Trip: 3.2 miles Elevation Gain: 100 feet Contact: Washington State Parks Sno-Parks Green Trails Map: Mount Rainier 269SX Notes: Sno-Park Pass required; Dogs allowed on leash Access: From Enumclaw follow SR 410 for 33 miles turning left (just before Mount Rainier National…
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