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Pipe Creek Trail

Trip

Basic Snowshoe - Pipe Creek Trail

Forecast indicates lots of fresh snow. Yippee. Also means lots of fun trail breaking. We’ll do the Diamond View loop; then, use our navigation skills to reach the Porky Basin viewpoint, too (see embedded map). READ LEADER'S NOTES BEFORE REGISTERING. TO JOIN, YOU MUST HAVE A COMPLETED BADGE - SORRY NO STUDENTS.

Contacts

Roseanne Lorenzana
Roseanne Lorenzana
Primary Leader
  • Sat, Jan 20, 2024
  • Foothills Snowshoeing Committee [INACTIVE]
  • Snowshoeing
  • Basic
  • Adults
  • Moderate/Strenuous
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 5.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 950 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 4,400 ft
  • Pace: 1.5-2.0 mph avg moving pace
  • We'll follow FR 9700-140 to reach Diamond View loop (red-colored line on map). If the day is clear, there will be views of Diamond Head near Blewett Pass.
  • This is not a frequently used snowshoe route, we will use navigation to find our route. You must be comfortable with this approach. With navigation tools, Forest Service roads are pretty easy to find and follow. Here's general map showing all the routes (click here).
  • Note that the route to the Porky  Basin viewpoint requires ~0.5 mile off-trail navigation through the woods to connect with other Forest Service roads that lead to the viewpoint (blue-colored line on map, off-trail area 1 & 2). See picture, below.
  • Depending on weather and snow conditions, we may not make it to Porky Basin viewpoint. Our turnaround point will be determined by getting back to our vehicles with a safety margin with respect to driving conditions & available daylight.
  • Join this trip ONLY if you are comfortable with off-trail navigation. I use a route map as a general guide to know where we are in the environment, but not as an exact route to follow. In the winter, route-finding means locating a safe and an interesting path to a destination. You MUST be comfortable with the process of navigation and group discussions about which way to go ... if this makes you anxious or impatient, this is NOT the trip for you.
  • Cancellation will occur if there are hazardous weather or road conditions, if it's raining or if there's inadequate snow.Pipe Porky route.jpg
  • 7:30am North Bend in front of now-closed Chase Bank. Do NOT proceed to Pipe Creek. In North Bend, we'll assess driving conditions along the route before proceeding. If the driving route is unsafe, group will go to an alternative destination. 
  • Pipe Crk SnoPark is located ~1.5 mi west of Blewett Pass and ~25 mi east of Cle Elum. From Seattle, ~100 miles (for comparison: from Seattle, Stevens Pass is ~85 miles).
  • Weather - from NWS
  • Avalanche forecast (East Slopes Central) - https://nwac.us/avalanche-forecast/#/east-slopes-central
  • Blewett Pass road conditions (webcam) - https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountainpasses/Blewett
  • SnoPark Pass for ungroomed trails is required. Trip Leader has a Pass and can drive. If we all fit in 2 vehicles, 1 more driver & vehicle with a Pass will be needed.
  • Portapotty is usually located in the SnoPark

 

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Pipe Creek Trail

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