Cross-country Ski - Stampede Pass

Meeting place and time 8:45 AM at Preston P&R

Leader's notes We will explore trail to Stampede Pass from the Crystal Springs Snopark, exit 62 off I-90. The route is mainly uphill after we cross the Iron Horse/John Wayne trail and we will descend by the same route. The trail is normally groomed for snowmobiles but the number of snowmobiles we encounter is likely to be small as this is a weekday trip. We will probably have lunch at Lizard Lake, just beyond Stampede Pass. Nordic Classic no-wax skis recommended. Please consult the leader if you wish to use other types of ski. We will car pool from the Preston P&R; and all vehicles taken to the trailhead will require WA Snopark Passes.Taking everyone will depend on having sufficient drivers. I suggest the best thing to do at this early stage of the season is to purchase a snopark season pass with special groomed trail permit ($40 + $40 = $80 total) on-line from WA State's website: https://fortress.wa.gov/parks/ecomm/sno/dsnostp0.asp Select:“Annual Non Motorized Permit/Special Groomed Sticker Combo: $80” You will be able to print out a temporary pass to use until your pass arrives in the mail. The pass has to be displayed in the windshield and cannot now be transferred between vehicles. There is hardly any saving in buying a day pass instead and there are a number of snoparks along I-90 that you can ski from that also require the groomed trails permit. The season pass is good though April 2012 assuming the snow lasts that long. Discover Pass: As far as I can establish it, you are not required to have a Washington State Parks Discover Pass to use a snopark if you have an annual snopark pass, but you will need a Discover Pass for a one-day snopark pass. Directions to Preston P&R;: The Preston P&R; is off I-90, exit 22. If you're headed east on I-90, take exit 22. At the top of the off ramp turn left and cross over the freeway. Shortly past the freeway there's a stop sign. Turn left (patience required here), and then turn left again (in just a few yards) into the Park and Ride. Approaching from westbound I-90 at exit 22 also works.