winter_non_motorized

Winter IS HERE! Snow in the Cascades can only mean one thing -
Backcountry adventure! Don't leave home without first checking out the
Northwest Avalanche Center for up to date weather information. Be
prepared and know before you go. Earn your turns, and have fun!

Very busy on the weekends, this Sno-Park, located on the south side of I-90, just east of
Snoqualmie Summit (near the DOT), offers 12 kilometers of groomed trail (skate and set
tracks). The trail follows the old railroad line, so the grade is relatively flat. This is a great
place for beginners to practice skills. This is a popular snow play area as well, so on
weekends expect the lot and the first kilometer to be congested. Best if you arrive before
10am. Snowshoers, please remember to stay out of the tracks and the skate lane. Sorry,
dogs are not allowed on the trail.

Don't be scared off by the motorized opportunities at Crystal Springs! Although this is
Washington State's largest snowmobile staging area, miles of nicely groomed
non-motorized trails exist! Mushers, Skijorers, and skiers who want to access the east
end of the John Wayne / Iron Horse trail can park on the west end of the parking area.
Follow the mile long DP100 trail to the John Wayne or Dog Sled route (tracks are not set
on the DP100). Dog sleds and Skijorers share the middle section (approximately 2.5k) of
the John Wayne trail with other non-motorized users.
Park on the east end of the parking area to access the Erling-Stordahl groomed ski area
(tracks and skate). This is a very nice trail system, offering beginner to advance trails.
Easier, overall, than Cabin Creek, Erling-Stordahl is often underused by non-motorized
recreationists because of the snowmobile traffic at the staging area. Don't let it. You will
soon be on your own trail system!

Crowded, to say the least, on weekends - but fun! Managed by the Kongsberger Ski Club,
Cabin Creek offers the advanced XC skier a great training area (check out the Viking loop
for steep up and downs). Beginners can practice their form on the groomed main road,
while slowly adding kilometer by using several bail out options on the Viking, Boundary,
and Berg loops. Kongsberger hosts several very popular races throughout the season
(check the calendar, link is located to the top of the page). Parking is limited, considering
the Sno-Parks popularity, so expect to explore other Sno-Parks if you plan to arrive after
10am on Saturday or Sunday, or after 9am on race days. Private homes are also located
below the Sno-Park, and residents use the F.S. Road to access their property. Therefore,
parking regulations are strictly enforced. Please adhere to the posted instructions, and do
not block the emergency access lanes.
For the racer-at-heart who just can't get enough, check out Kongsberger's Wednesday
night races (see calendar).

Easton State Park offers 5k of groomed ski trail (skate and classic). The small, but fun,
course is set in the woods. The south end (far end of the loop) accesses the John Wayne
Trail, but don't expect it to link with the western system. This section of the John Wayne
ends about 1.5k up the trail. Still, the park does an outstanding grooming job and 2008
has delivered enough snow to make it a great choice. The first kilometer follows a
snowmobile route BUT the park grooms distinctly different trails for each user group. I
highly recommend this trail system if the western parks are full.