Stewardship - Snoqualmie Pass Nordic Center

Trip

Stewardship - Snoqualmie Pass Nordic Center

A snowshoe “stewardship” trip to help better mark the blue diamond route from Hyak to Nordic Pass.

  • Sat, Mar 18, 2023
  • Seattle Snowshoeing Committee
  • Stewardship, Snowshoeing
  • Basic
  • Adults
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 7.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft
  • Pace: Moderate

First Hyak parking lot at 7:45, oriented and ready to roll at 8:00

The blue diamond marked route across USFS land from Hyak to Nordic Pass is a gem, and in need of maintenance.  Last maintained in 2017, the route needs more diamonds placed and trees given some light pruning so that the diamonds are visible.  This is a wonderful area to explore, free of avalanche concerns, with big trees, and it accesses many fun snowshoe destinations.

In full disclosure, this trip is aimed at people who have the basic snowshoe badge (student or completed), or scramble or climb badges.  There will be NO snowshoe instruction, and you should be completely competent on this basic snowshoe route.   Also, I am technically not a "stewardship leader", but am a snowshoe leader.  UPDATE 3/15:  The Program Center now states that, for a full day’s work, one can get stewardship credit.  We will be working with a volunteer with the USFS who has been closely involved with the history of the Nordic Pass Trail.  

Beyond the usual winter snowshoeing things, like daypack with food, water, warm clothes, you will want to bring along a full size hammer and maybe a little “Fanny pack” to carry your blue diamonds and nails conveniently.  I will bring along a short folding saw.  If you have such a saw or a hand pruner that you like to use, please bring that along.  

Our way will start by walking up one of the Hyak residential roads to find the start of the marked route.  Our biggest challenge will be crossing a creek at the start, then locating the  correct way to travel, making decisions on which trees to mark.  We will work as a group on navigating, so Gaia skills will be helpful. We will cross both downhill ski and cross country skiing trails, and we will aim to be considerate of our fellow snow lovers.  Depending on our timing and progress, we likely will NOT reach Nordic Pass itself, and will instead aim to be back at our TH at +/- 4pm.  My survey of the route last weekend indicated the condition of the diamonds was worse in the lower region, and improved towards the top.

Leader's permission for (1) having the minimum basic snowshoe badge as described above and (2) being okay that this may not count for a stewardship activity.

Badges

participants will earn:

leaders will earn:

Route/Place

Snoqualmie Pass Nordic Center



  • USGS Lost Lake

    Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass No. 207

    Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass Gateway No. 207S

    USGS Snoqualmie Pass
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials

Snowshoes, gaiters, warm boots and poles

Full size hammer and gloves required. Optional small folding saw and Fanny pack recommended.  We will provide blue diamonds and nails, along with good company.

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