Imagine you’re out on a summer hike at a national park. The weather is fantastic, but the rest of the Northwest knows it too. You can hear the echoes of voices bouncing off the trees, and the scenic overlooks are all filled with picnicking fellow hikers.
Now imagine you’re on the same trail, but it’s six months later, and the trail is covered in a big white, serene blanket of snow. The snow has muted everything around you but the sound of your own breath. The Evergreen boughs are drooping under the weight of snow as you make your way through the sparkling landscape, and you catch sight of a lone deer in the woods, or an eagle soaring overhead.
Sound too good to be true…and never snowshoed before? The Pacific Northwest is packed with opportunities this winter to learn. Snag the opportunity now, before the season is over, to learn a new sport and enjoy the stillness of the parks before the snow melts and the summer crowds return. Best of all, many guided tours are free, and most provide snowshoes, so all you need to do is dress warmly and show up.
Mount Rainier National Park
1.2 miles, 2 hours
Enjoy a free Park Ranger-led tour to learn about the plants and wildlife that have adapted to survive Rainier’s often brutal winter conditions. Weekend tours at 12:30 and 2 p.m., through March. Cost: $1donation for snowshoe rental. (360) 569-2211;
www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter-recreation.htm.
Methow Valley
90 – 120 minutes
The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA) hosts snowshoes tours with a naturalist, various dates in February. Cost: MVSTA snowshoe trail pass ($5) required. Reservations not required but groups limited to 20. (509) 996-3287; events@mvsta.com.
Stevens Pass, Wash.
Two-hour program for all skill levels
Tour begins with a brief slide show about the area’s history, and then takes a one-mile round-trip snowshoe trip on the Pacific Crest Trail. Weekends through March; ages 6 and up. Cost: $10 per tour, snowshoes included. (360) 677-2414; www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs.
Leavenworth, Wash.
2-hour guided tour
Free guided snowshoe tours along the Icicle Trail at the National Fish Hatchery in the Bavarian Village; weekends through Feb. 28, 10 a.m.–noon. No experience is necessary and snowshoes are provided for those 8 and up. Reservations are required. (509) 548-2921.
Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Approx. 1 mile, 90 minutes
Weekend tours, through March; Cost: $5 donation for snowshoes. (360) 565-3136; www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/hurricane-ridge-in-winter.htm.
Snoqualmie Pass, Wash.
Approx. 1 mile, 90 minutes
Old-growth forest walks with a Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Ranger; learn about tree photosynthesis and animals’ adaptations to winter. Half-day tours and special kids’ events available as well. Cost: $10–$20 depending on tour, snowshoes included. Twice daily weekend tours through March. (425) 434-6111; www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs.
Mount Bachelor, Ore.
90-minute guided tour
Learn about winter ecology and the geology of Central Oregon, the Deschutes National Forest watershed and the wildlife found in the area. Twice daily weekend tours through March. 10 years and older. Cost: Free, snowshoes included. (541) 383-4771;
www.mtbachelor.com/winter/activities/snowshoeing/index.html.
Crater Lake National Park
90-minute guided tour
1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, through April. 8 years and older. Cost: Free, snowshoes included. (541) 594-3100; www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm.
Glade Trail, Mt. Hood
3.5 miles roundtrip
Travel the old Ski-way Tram route and learn about topics like winter ecology, geology and Mt. Hood history. Meet at Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. Cost: Free, BYOS (Bring Your Own Snowshoes). (503) 622-3191.
Trillium Lake, Ore.
3 miles roundtrip
Walk with a U.S. Forest Service Ranger. Spectacular Mt. Hood views included. Trillium Lake Sno-Park, 2.5 miles east of Timberline Road off of Highway 26 Fridays and Saturdays, 1 p.m. Cost: Free, BYOS. (503) 622-3191.
Silver Striders, Ore.
Tours designed for those age 50 and older
Attend a free snowshoe orientation class, and then get out in the wilderness with a guide to lead you through fantastic Oregon scenery in three national forests while learning about the wildlife, waterfalls and volcanic history. Overnight tours available also. Online calendar of events. Four weekly tours, from easy to advanced. Rates start at from $15 a person; does not include transportation or snowshoes. (541) 383-8077; www.silverstriders.com, strideron@silverstriders.com.
Wanderlust Tours, Ore.
Half-day trips
Enjoy the Deschutes National Forest and the Mt. Bachelor area with a local, sustainable family business that provides snowshoe instruction, vibrant interpretation, refreshments, and fun. For an especially unique snowshoeing experience, try Wanderlust’s Moonlight Tour or the Bonfire on the Snow event. Reservations required for all tours. Tours at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily through April. Cost: $49 –$75. Bend and Sunriver pick-ups; winter boot/pants rental available also. (541) 389-8359; www.wanderlusttours.com.
Yitka Winn of Seattle enjoys snowboarding, skiing, and making snow angels. |
