Cross-country Ski - Mount Catherine Loop (winter)

8:15 Issaquah Transit Center, NE corner. Groomed SnoPark permit needed for each vehicle.

This is not the traditional loop trip utilizing a ski lift and requiring an expensive ski ticket. We will start and return from the Hyak SnoPark, ski out a ways on the Palouse to Cascades trail, then take the blue diamond marked route to cut up to what is called the Common Corridor. The trip is marked challenging due to this short stretch, as it requires herringbone and side-stepping skills, and likely some patience.  That or the willingness to remove your skis and post hole for a bit.

After this “fun”, we will travel via the groomed Nordic trails up to Windy Pass, stopping at the warming hut before the climb gets steeper. Depending on conditions, we can play in the snow up at Windy Pass before descending back down to the warming hut, utilizing basic snow plow skills. I tend to find that the way back down the ungroomed section is even more challenging than the way up. Again, side stepping is your friend.  The final stretch of the P2C will be a breeze. 

Given the short ungroomed nature of this trip, only super skilled skate skiers are welcome. Leader has metal edged classic skis.