OUTDOOR RECREATION INFO CENTER

Our snowpack in the mountains is below average, but that makes for great winter hiking below the 2,000-foot elevation.  Good winter dayhikes include Mount Si, Little Si, Rattlesnake Ledge, and the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail along the I-90 corridor; as well as Wallace Falls, Boulder River, and the Lime Kiln Trail further north.   The lower valleys of the Olympic Peninsula make for good backpacking destinations including the Elwha River Trail and the Hoh River Trail, as well as the Wilderness Coast.  Make sure you check on road, weather, and trail conditions before you head out.  Check out our “helpful links” section for more information.  Bring extra clothing this time of year and plan for darkness by about 4:30pm. 

This has been a popular question lately.  We had alot of snow in November, but not too much (yet) in December.  At least it has stayed cold to help preserve our snowpack.  A few areas have some cross-country ski tracks groomed and ready to go.  The areas are a bit icy right now, but with new snow forecast this coming week conditions should improve.  Developed ski areas with nordic trails that are open limited days include the Summit At Snoqualmie, Steven’s Pass, and White Pass.  Washington State Sno-Park locations that have some groomed trail include Mt. Amabalis from the Cabin Creek Sno-Park and some of the Iron Horse Trail from Hyak Sno-Park to the Crystal Springs Sno-Park.  Don’t forget to buy your Sno-Park Pass before you head up to the mountains.  Available at many vendors, or online at: www.parks.wa.gov/winter.  Enjoy the skiing and hope for more snow soon!

Many ski areas in Western Washington are opening.  Some have limited operations, but enough snow has fallen to get the chairlifts going.  A few that have opened include Summit-At-Snoqualmie (Summit West), Crystal Mountain, Mount Baker, Steven’s Pass, and White Pass.  Enjoy the snow!