Guided Snowshoe Walks Explore Winter Beauty
Release Date: Dec 7, 2012
US Forest Service
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Contact: Kim Larned Snoqualmie Pass: 509-852-1062
Contact: Nan Lammers Stevens Pass: 360-677-2233
Contact: Magenta Widner Glacier Public Service Center: 360-599-9572
Contact: Matt Riggen Darrington Ranger District: 360-436-1155
Get outdoors and learn about winter ecology snowshoeing on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest January through March. No experience is necessary and the Forest Service provides snowshoes. Participants should wear layered and insulated clothing, hats and gloves with sturdy, waterproof shoes or boots, hats and gloves. To offset the costs of the program a donation is requested.
SNOQUALMIE PASS
Make reservations at 509-852-1062 before Dec. 20; and 425-434-6111 afterwards. Trips for special events and school groups can also be scheduled. Meet 15 minutes early at the visitor’s center off I-90, exit 52 on Snoqualmie Pass. Office hours are Thursday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. A donation is suggested of $15 for adults, $10 for youth 16 and under, and $25 per person for the half-day hikes and photography outings. Reservations are required for all programs.
90-Minute Trek
Sat. Sun. 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m.
Learn about the winter ecosystem, wildlife and safety on this one-mile loop walk through opulent old-growth forest.
Group size 20
Half-Day Hikes
Fri. Sat. Sun. 9 a.m.
Experience Commonwealth Basin in the winter surrounded by the Cascade crest peaks. Bring a lunch, you will be out four to five hours.
Winter Photography Outings
Jan. 19, Feb. 2, 16, March 2, 16, 31, 9:30 a.m.
Geared for photography enthusiasts of all abilities. Commonwealth Creek offers intriguing image possibilities with ice falls, cool vapors and swirling dark waters. Your guide will discuss light, composition and exposure. Bring lunch, this outing lasts four to five hours.
"Kids in the Snow"
Starting Jan.12, Saturdays, 1 p.m.
Earn a Junior Ranger Snow membership and patch! Learn about tracking, crawl into a snow cave and check out a snow crystal with a magnifier on this approximately 90-minute walk.
Guided Nordic Ski Trip
Jan. 12, 19, 26 and Feb. 2, 9, 16, 10-11:30 a.m.
Begin at Grand Junction on the Mt. Catherine Loop. Purchase a ski ticket, ride the ski lift and meet the group at the hut. You will ski from there making stops to learn about the area’s history, forest and wildlife.
Day in the Snow
Jan. 19, 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Take off on one of three different one-mile loop outings and learn about the history and stories of the region. Your host is from the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.
STEVENS PASS All snowshoe walks are canceled for the season. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Make reservations Jan. 12-Feb. 24 at Skykomish Ranger District, 360-677-2414. Meet at the Forest Service Guard Station by Parking Lot A at Stevens Pass. Sultan Shuttle offers transportation from Sultan to the resort. Check http://www.stevenspass.com/Stevens/the-mountain/sultan-shuttle.aspx for fees and schedules. A donation is suggested of $15 for adults and $10 for youth 16 and under.
IntroductoAll snowshoe walks are canceled for the season. Sorry for the inconvenience.
MT. BAKER RANGER DISTRICT All snowshoe walks are booked for the season. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Make reservations at 360-599-9572, weekends 9 a.m.–3 p.m. or e-mail mwidner@fs.fed.us. Meet at the Glacier Public Service Center, milepost 34 Mt. Baker Hwy., State Route 542. Group will leave from there to the snowshoe walk location along the Hannegan Road, Heather Meadows or another setting in the Mt. Baker District area. A donation is suggested of $15 for adults and $10 for youth 16 and under. Reservations are required.
Ranger Guided Snowshoe Walk
Sundays: 10 a.m. Jan. 13, 27; Feb. 3, 10, 24
Fridays: 10 a.m. Jan. 18; Feb. 15
Learn about the winter in the national forest.
Group size: 15
DARRINGTON RANGER DISTRICT
Make reservations by calling Darrington Ranger District at 360-436-1155. Meet at Verlot Public Service Center for orientation then on to Deer Creek to begin the four-mile, approximately five hour round-trip snowshoe hike. Participants should be age 16 or older and in good shape. A $20 donation is suggested.
Big Four Ice Cave Snowshoe Walk
Feb. 2-March 2, Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.
Learn about the winter in the national forest.
Group size: 18