Commonwealth Basin

An easy 2-5 miles round trip snowshoe trip with 500-900 feet of elevation gain to falls and though a basin near Snoqualmie Pass.

GETTING THERE

Take Exit 52 off of I-90 and park at the Summit at Snoqualmie Summit West parking lot. Carefully cross the summit access road and walk under the highway overpass to reach the trailhead on the north side of I-90. Don't be tempted to park at the cleared area at the top of Forest Road 58, the old Snoqualmie Pass Road. Despite appearances, that is a not parking area.

ON THE TRAIL

Commonwealth Falls

2.0 miles round trip, 500 feet of elevation gain, 3,500 ft high point

After crossing under the highway to the northbound Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Trailhead, travel along Commonwealth Creek to Commonwealth Falls.

Commonwealth Basin

5.0 miles round trip, 900 feet of elevation gain, 3,900 ft high point

After crossing under the highway to the PCT Trailhead, travel along Commonwealth Creek to Commonwealth Falls and then head up into Commonwealth Basin where it opens up to views of Red Mountain and Lundin Peak.

Information for leaders

scheduling & Permits

  • As of 2017, the Snoqualmie Ranger District considers Mountaineers trips and courses to be "nominal use". Leaders should print and copy this designation letter to show rangers they may see on trail or carry a digital copy on their phone.
  • If you are scheduling this as a non-course related activity, please limit your group size to the recommended party size. The maximum party size is for use by course field trips only, and includes both students and instructors. Group size maximums do not reflect how course field trips are run (in smaller groups of students and instructors), but allow for course leaders to register the course in our system.
  • Please note that this trail enters the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and trips proceeding into the Wilderness must comply with wilderness regulations. Groups exceeding 12 must divide into physically and logistically separate parties and maintain a minimum distance of one-mile separation. 
  • If you are scheduling a course field trip, please contact our Member Services Team to confirm the field trip and any permitting regulations.
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Length: 5.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 900 ft
  • 3,900 ft
  • Land Manager: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
    Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Snoqualmie Ranger District (MBSNF)
  • Parking Permit Required: None
  • Recommended Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Party Size: 24
  • Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 24
Map
  • Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass Gateway No. 207S
  • Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass No. 207
  • USGS Snoqualmie Pass
Activities

Upcoming Activities

Basic Snowshoe - Commonwealth Basin

Snowshoeing Trip
Here's hoping there's enough snow to enjoy a quick trip in the mountains
Difficulty: Moderate
Sat, Dec 2, 2023
Prerequisites
1 participant
Registration closed Nov 29
Seattle Branch
Mija Lee

Basic Snowshoe - Commonwealth Basin

Snowshoeing Trip
A moderate Basic Snowshoe in a lovely treed valley and basin on the north-side of
Difficulty: Moderate
Sat, Dec 23, 2023
Prerequisites
6 participants 0 leaders
Registration opens Dec 7
Foothills Branch
Rob Erickson

TAC MAC - Avalanche Series - Commonwealth Basin

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club - Tacoma
This field trip will focus on using avalanche rescue
Difficulty: Moderate
Sat, Jan 6, 2024
No Prerequisites
13 participants 1 instructor
Registration closes Jan 4
Tacoma Branch
Sarah Holt
Qualified Youth Leader

Basic Snowshoeing Field Trip - Commonwealth Basin

Snowshoeing Field trip: Basic Snowshoeing Course
Field trip for the Foothills Basic Snowshoeing Course. Completion of one field trip is required
Difficulty: Moderate
Sat, Jan 13, 2024
No Prerequisites
0 participants 0 instructors
Registration closes Jan 11
Foothills Branch
Steve LeBrun

Basic Snowshoeing Field Trip - Commonwealth Basin

Snowshoeing Field trip: Basic Snowshoeing Course
Field trip for the Foothills Basic Snowshoeing Course. Completion of one field trip is required
Difficulty: Moderate
Sat, Jan 13, 2024
No Prerequisites
4 participants 0 instructors
Registration closes Jan 11
Foothills Branch
Steve LeBrun

Basic Snowshoeing Field Trip - Commonwealth Basin

Snowshoeing Field trip: Basic Snowshoeing Course
Field trip for the Foothills Basic Snowshoeing Course. Completion of one field trip is required
Difficulty: Moderate
Sun, Feb 4, 2024
No Prerequisites
2 participants 0 instructors
Registration closes Feb 2
Foothills Branch
Steve LeBrun

Basic Snowshoeing Field Trip - Commonwealth Basin

Snowshoeing Field trip: Basic Snowshoeing Course
Field trip for the Foothills Basic Snowshoeing Course. Completion of one field trip is required
Difficulty: Moderate
Sat, Feb 10, 2024
No Prerequisites
6 participants 0 instructors
Registration closes Feb 8
Foothills Branch
Steve LeBrun

Basic Snowshoeing Field Trip - Commonwealth Basin

Snowshoeing Field trip: Basic Snowshoeing Course
Field trip for the Foothills Basic Snowshoeing Course. Completion of one field trip is required
Difficulty: Moderate
Sat, Feb 10, 2024
No Prerequisites
9 participants 0 instructors
Registration closes Feb 8
Foothills Branch
Steve LeBrun
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