Day Hike - Pacific Crest Trail: Snoqualmie Pass to Windy Pass

Highpoint Way (I-90 exit 20) at 3:30pm.

One way car shuttle from Windy Pass to Dru Bru (near the Summit West ski area) via the PCT.  5 miles and 1500' elevation loss.

Leave your Type A fitness goals at home and let your Inner Underachiever take over as we take an easy after-work downhill hike along a beautiful section of trail on a (hopefully) nice summer evening, ending with some pizza and beer.  

If one looks only at the stats for this trip it doesn't make sense: too much driving and not enough hiking. But the 5 mile stretch along the PCT just south of Snoqualmie Pass is a beautiful place to be on a nice summer evening. The brief side trip to Lodge Lake can be idyllic, and the first views of Guye Peak lit in evening light make you understand why the Mountaineers invested so much in this area back in wilder days before the arrival of the interstate and the ski area.

This trip will require three cars, all of which must be high clearance. We'll drop one car at Dru Bru then take the other two to the Windy Pass trailhead. At the end of the hike the three drivers will return to the trailhead to retrieve the cars while the others hang out. After some pizza we'll head back into town.  

 Disclaimers (please read before signing up):

1. Though this is an easy hike we are still doing 5 miles in the backcountry across some sections of trail that are a little rough.  Please take the hiking portion of this trip seriously by bringing all the usual essentials including headlamp and appropriate footwear.
2. Like many club trips this one includes an optional post-hike beer. Please drink and act responsibly, especially if you are driving.
3. Bad weather cancels. This is a relaxing trip we are doing just for fun.
4. Drivers: a Northwest Forest Pass is required at Windy Pass.
5. Mountaineers members only.

 Approximate Schedule:

• 3:30 - 5:00. Leave High Point.  Drop car at Dru Bru. Drive to trailhead.
• 5:00 - 7:30.  Hike PCT
• 7:30 - 8:30: Drivers retrieve cars while others hang out
• 8:30 - 9:15ish: Pizza
• 9:15ish - 10:00ish - Drive back to High Point