Beginner Snowshoe - Erling Stordahl

Trip

Beginner Snowshoe - Erling Stordahl

An easy snowshoe of about three miles, with one hill to climb, and a chance of seeing sled dogs, in the trails around Erling Stordahl. Suitable for complete novices. This is an Olympia Youth and Family trip, primarily (but not exclusively) intended for adults accompanied by children. Adults of all levels of ability are welcome, with or without children.

  • G-XC 2 Advanced Beginner Groomed
  • Easy
  • Mileage: 3.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 240 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 2,630 ft
  • Pace: 1.5 mph

This is a youth and families activity, intended for youths accompanied by adults.  However, adults of all levels of snowshoeing ability are welcome, with or without children.  A youth is anyone under age 18.  Youths should be Mountaineers members, usually on family memberships with parents or guardians.  The trip leader is a Qualified Youth Leader.  Assistant leaders should have or  be working on Qualified Youth Leader badge.  Here is a link to a guide for enrolling your child and filling out the necessary forms for a youth and family activity:

https://www.mountaineers.org/youth/resources-faqs/enrolling-in-youth-programs/enrolling-in-youth-programs

The Erling Stordahl trails are accessed from the Crystal Springs SnoPark. These trails were developed by the Sons of Norway (Trollhaugen Lodge) and Ski for Light. Erling Stordahl was a blind Norwegian folk musician. Some of the trails have double sets of track, so that skiers who are blind or have other disabilities can ski side-by-side with a companion. We will be on snowshoes, and for the most part will not be on the groomed ski trails. We may also be on some other trails shared with dog sleds or snowmobiles. If we are lucky, we may get to see a sled and dog team. The exact route will be determined by snow conditions and the abilities and wishes of the participants. We expect to spend three to four hours outdoors, but may shorten that depending on the weather and the participants.   The terrain is easy.  Beginners are welcome and no prior experience is required.   We have snowshoes and poles available to loan to participants.

We will stop every half hour, or more often as needed for drinks and snack breaks, clothing and equipment adjustment, bio breaks a/k/a party separations (porta-potties in parking lot; back to nature elsewhere), and at junctions and intersections as needed to maintain group cohesion. Pack a lunch, a foam sitting pad and maybe a thermos for a trailside lunch.

If your child is under 8 years of age, please contact me to discuss. If your child is between 5 and 8 and has previously done snowshoe or xc ski trips of comparable length without a major problem, or if you have a pulk or similar sled designed to be towed by a skier or snowshoer in which a younger child may ride sitting up, and you have used it successfully, I would be willing to discuss possibility of a child under 8.

Please contact the leader or assistant leader with any questions, especially about gear, clothing, or whether this trip is right for your or your child's level of ability and conditioning.

Here is a link to a map of some of the route. We plan on mostly being on the dashed purple trails indicated as "Openings through the trees suitable for snowshoeing".  If that trail has deep unbroken snow, we will take a different route. The ski trails are groomed, and snowshoers generally can use the edge of the trail.

https://www.snowrec.org/_files/ugd/660f6d_af3e717976e94e0abf1ec9d53e46db8f.pdf

North Bend Safeway parking lot, 460 SW Mt. Si Blvd, 98045, by the tall "Safeway - O'Reilly Auto Parts" sign at 9:00 a.m.  Last indoor restroom stop.  We will check I-90 Snoqualmie Pass conditions,  finalize any carpooling, then to Crystal Springs.  All vehicles crossing Snoqualmie Pass in snow season must carry tire chains and be prepared to use them.  See WSDOT  requirements: https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountainpasses/tiresandchains.   SnoPark special groomed permit required for Crystal Springs.  Permit can be bought online at: https://parks.wa.gov/passes-permits/permits/sno-park-permits.

 More details will be emailed to registrants a few days before trip.

Route/Place

Erling Stordahl


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Required Equipment

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