Cross-country Ski - Windy Pass from the Iron Horse Trail

Arrive at Hyak Sno-Park when it opens at 8am, a groomed sno-park pass is required for entry to park. Please be ready to Ski by 8.15am. I'll send out Map & my car details in pre-trip email by Friday. 

COVID Vaccine Required.

From the Hyak SnoPark we will ski on the state groomed Palouse to Cascade trail (AKA Iron Horse Trail) for less than 1 mile to the blue diamond marked Common Corridor connector.  This short connector stretch requires some off-trail, herringbone and side stepping skills (we may even take our ski's off), but quickly brings us to the groomed Summit Nordic Center Cold Creek trail.  From there, we headed up the Cold Creek trail to Windy Pass. We can stop at a warming hut on the trail (if desired, if available, bring mask to enter hut). We will probably have lunch/snack/rest  at the far end of the Common Corridor before enjoying the downhill return to our starting point.

This trail is normally groomed on Fridays, Weekends and Holidays. We will follow it uphill towards Windy Pass.  This section of trail is known as the Common Corridor. It provides public access to Nordic Pass and Silver Peak without requiring a trail pass from the Summit Nordic Center.   Set tracks should be available over much of our route.

There is a potential avalanche slide zone just above the current location of the Jim Brooks Warming Hut. On the day of our trip the trail will be closed at that point if there is a slide danger. If so, we will turn round and instead return earlier to the Palouse to Cascade trail (AKA Iron Horse Trail) and ski further east.

This N3 rated trip is planned as an approximately 9 miles round trip with over 1,000 ft gain over 3 of these miles.  To participate you need to be able to  balance on skis, kick and glide at a easy-moderate pace, snowplow, brake, have stamina, and know how to ski up and down a hill for a prolonged distance including negotiating turns. If you are uncertain of your ability and stamina to manage this type of trip please contact me to discuss further.