Cross-country Ski - Hyak Lake, Nordic Pass, Windy Pass & Mount Catherine

Original listing:  Note: Registration preference is given to Olympia and Tacoma cross country ski students for first five days of registration.  See more below.  We will ski from the Crystal Springs Sno-Park past the Erling Stordahl trails to the Sled Dog trails.  These trails are shared with mushers, skijorers and their dogs.  It is a treat to see them on the trail.   A few different routes are possible.  We will probably ski 6 to 9 miles on groomed advanced beginner (G XC-2) trails, mostly easy (green circle) to moderate (blue square) with some intermediate difficulty.  Some of it is a bit sporty (G XC-3), but not black diamond level.  You should be prepared to use the skills you learned on previous field trips, including an efficient classic Nordic (diagonal) stride, herringbone up hill, side-step up or down hill; snowplow downhill; wedge/snowplow turn.  This is not an instructional trip, although some tips or observations may be offered.  This trip will count as a Mountaineers-led ski trips required for ski course graduation.

The Mountaineers' data base rates the Sled Dog trails as "ungroomed" although they do get groomed.  The sled dog portion is usually groomed on schedule, but without set track for skis. Most of the route from the Sno-park to the Sled Dog trails is groomed with set track 75 mm wide. Touring skis with or without metal edges should work well.  Skis wider than 70 mm will not work well in the set track.  We plan on keeping a pace that everyone can handle, with stops every half hour or more often as needed.  Skate skiing will not be compatible with the group pace on this trip.  This is not an instructional trip, although some tips or observations may be offered.  This trip will count as one of the Mountaineers-led ski trips required for ski course graduation. 

Registration preference will be given to this year's Olympia and Tacoma cross country ski students for the first five days that registration is open.  Other skiers may register during this time, but if the trip fills up during that time, non-students will be bumped to waitlist in order for students to register.  After five days, on  March 7 at 5:00 p.m., registration is open to all Mountaineer skiers who have the skills and ability (at a minimum, advanced beginner or Basic Cross Country Ski course graduate) for the trip.  If you register after the first five days, it will be first come, first served.  If you are an advanced beginner, intermediate or better skier, and would like to help ski students practice, please register as assistant leader if you have a ski leader badge, or email leader if you don’t.

Please feel free to email leaders Mike Forsyth at <adktripper@earthlink.net> or Scott Carlson at <snarlson@hotmail.com> with any questions about the trip, the route, clothing, equipment, and whether this trip is right for you.

Here are some links to information which may be of interest:

Map of Sled Dogs Trails and Crystal Springs Sno-park: https://parks.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/Crystal-Springs-Sled-Dog.pdf

More info on sled dogs on shared trails in WA: https://www.snowrec.org/mushing

WA Parks Crystal Springs Sno-park page:   https://parks.wa.gov/find-sno-parks/crystal-springs-sno-park

We'll meet at the North Bend (I-90 Exit 31) Safeway shopping plaza parking lot, 460 SW Mt Si Blvd, North Bend, WA, at 8:15 a.m. by the tall sign that says "Safeway - O'Reilly Auto Parts". Participants can caravan or carpool from there to the Crystal Springs Sno-Park. Parking pass or permit with Special Groomed sticker required. Tire chains must be carried in Snoqualmie Pass during snow season.  See https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountainpasses/tiresandchains

For info on good carpooling practices and how to contact other participants, please see this Mountaineers article on "Carpooling and Mountaineers Activities/Courses": https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/how-to-opt-in-for-carpooling