Winter Wonderlands — 3 Great Snowshoeing Areas in Washington
Wherever you live in Washington, once the snow hits the ground it can seem more daunting to get out and explore all the nature and recreation resources that make this state so special. If you are looking for a fun, accessible activity to get you outside during the winter months, snowshoeing is a great option! All around Washington there are a ton of great areas to check out, each offering various difficulty levels and trail lengths. Check out these three areas we’ve picked.
Adventure Report
Suncadia Trails offers groomed trails for all ages
Mt. Spokane offers 6 trails of all difficulties
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie has trails of all kinds
Suncadia Resort Groomed Trails
The Suncadia Resort outside of Cle Elum, WA, offers year-round recreation opportunities that are open to the public in addition to their many other amenities. In the winter months, this area is home to several miles of well groomed and easily accessible trails that make for a relaxing and beautiful winter hike for snowshoers of all skill levels. If you are new to the sport and need your own equipment, Suncadia offers rentals and guide services to help new adventurers experience all the snow has to offer! Guided snowshoe hikes offered by Suncadia are designed with families in mind and make for a great way for explorers of all ages to experience the fresh air and local wildlife. Elk and bald eagles are often seen along with many other migratory birds. Each guided snowshoe hike lasts for up to 3 hours and from $45-$55 per person, which includes snowshoes and binoculars. A great deal! Standalone snowshoe rentals are $18 for a 2-hr rental or $30 for 24-hr rental. The trails are open to cross country skiers as well, if that is more your speed. If you are looking for an easy and accessible way to try out snowshoeing, or just want to try someplace new, be sure to check these trails out! For location information see the maps below.
Mt. Spokane State Park
Fluffy snow on Mt. Spokane. Photo Credit: Bjorn via flickr
While Mt. Spokane is best known for its downhill and Nordic ski areas, it also has a whole host of great opportunities to slow down and take in the beautiful views in the area via snowshoe. In fact, snowshoeing is generally permitted on any snow-covered trail in the area except the groomed Nordic trail, the alpine ski area, and snowmobiling trails. The Friends of Mt. Spokane group highlights six beautiful trails in the area that range from short beginner routes with groomed trails and little elevation gain to difficult hikes that are over 6 miles long and climb over 1,000 feet. The trails that are listed by the Friends of Mt. Spokane are The Entrance Loop (Easy), Burping Brook Loop (Difficult), Smith Gap Loop (Easy-Moderate), Bald Knob Picnic Area (Moderate), Mt. Spokane Summit Route (Difficult), CCC Cabin (Moderate), and the Trail 260 Loop (Moderate-Difficult). For a full list and descriptions of the trails, check out the Friends of Mt. Spokane fact sheet. Keep in mind that a Sno-Park permit is required to park a vehicle in the park during the winter season.
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
A group of explorers enjoying the snow near Snoqualmie.
Another great area for all types of winter recreation is the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. There are countless opportunities for snowshoeing in the area, so you’ll just have to come back again and again! The US Forest Service also offers several guided snowshoe walks and winter ecology excursions that range in difficulty and purpose. While there are many trails in the area, here are three that we would like to highlight: a beginner, an intermediate, and an advanced trail. Whatever suits your wanderlust!
Trail 1 (Beginner): Hannegan Pass Road 32
This road is a great multi-use snow play area. There is not very much elevation gain and this trail is a good hike for all ages. From the road you can enjoy views of the North Fork Nooksack River, Mt. Shuksan, and all the beautiful hillsides in the area. It is located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest approximately 13 miles east of Glacier, with parking available at the Shuksan Picnic Area at the base of the road.
Trail 2 (Intermediate): Artist Point Snowshoe Trail
Artist Point is in contention for one of the best views in the state. Sweeping views of the Cascades, Mt. Shuskan, and Mt. Baker will take your breath away, if you still have any by the time you make it to the top of the hike. The Artist Point Loop is 4 miles round trip with around 1,000’ of elevation gain. This is a popular route, so there are almost always well defined tracks to follow, although there is some avalanche risk in the area so be sure to come prepared and avoid this trail if the weather conditions pose risk. The trailhead to Artist Point is at the last parking area on the Mt. Baker Highway. No permits nor payment are required. To find this trail, make your way to Heather Meadows, continue to drive around Picture Lake (one-way) and past the ski lifts. The large parking area is on the right at the end of the road. The trail begins left of the bathroom facilities.
Trail 3 (Advanced): Excelsior Pass
Sometimes to get that spectacular view, you have to weather a steep ascent. The Excelsior Pass trail is a grueling 6.5 miles one way through the North Cascades Forest and Mt. Baker Wilderness. The trail is steep and difficult, with over 4,000’ of elevation gain during the trip. Depending on the directness of your route, the grade can exceed 20%, so be sure to take time along the hike to rest your legs and enjoy the stunning views of Mt. Baker. The trail itself is often obscured by snow accumulation, so navigational equipment and route-finding skills are necessary. The pass itself offers wondrous views of Mt. Baker to the south, and Mt. Shuksan to the north, along with Tomyhoi and American Border Peak in the distance. Once you have taken in the beautiful vistas at the top of the pass, it’s another 6.5 miles back to the parking lot, so be sure to come prepared! From Glacier, you can find this trail by traveling east on Mt. Baker Hwy 542 for approximately 7 miles. The parking area is located on the right hand side of the highway. The trailhead is on the left just across from the parking area.
