ALPINE LAKES WILDERNESS AREA, WA :: Today we planned to meet Tatiana, Greg and Dana for a winter wonderland adventure near Stevens Pass. Unfortunately, we started a bit late in the day and had a few issues finding a parking space and the trailhead. The main parking areas were closed, so I proceeded to the Nordic Center where my truck got stuck in deep snow. I learned the hard way that four-wheel drive isn’t worth a darn if your tires are nearly bald. A lot of help from some kind strangers and a tow from a bulldozer eventually freed us… I’ll be getting a new set of wheels this weekend.
When we finally met and were ready to put on our snowshoes, it was only then that I found out that Tatiana and Greg had never snowshoed before! I had assumed they were seasoned veterans. Not that snowshoeing is technically difficult, but had I known they were newbies, I definitely would have chosen a much less severe trail.
The route up to Skyline Lake climbs steeply along a wide snowcat trail, gaining 1300′ in 1.5 miles. The winds were whipping along the exposed switchbacks about halfway up, stinging our faces with powdery snow. But everyone was a good sport about the trudge, especially Dana, who kept step with me for much of the way. We took frequent breaks and found it hard to complain amidst the beautiful scenery. We saw many other snowshoers, skiers, snowboarders and dogs sharing the trail.
It was a great day to be out and we had a lot of fun, but we’ll probably pick a flatter hike if we go snowshoeing again.
When we finally met and were ready to put on our snowshoes, it was only then that I found out that Tatiana and Greg had never snowshoed before! I had assumed they were seasoned veterans. Not that snowshoeing is technically difficult, but had I known they were newbies, I definitely would have chosen a much less severe trail.
The route up to Skyline Lake climbs steeply along a wide snowcat trail, gaining 1300′ in 1.5 miles. The winds were whipping along the exposed switchbacks about halfway up, stinging our faces with powdery snow. But everyone was a good sport about the trudge, especially Dana, who kept step with me for much of the way. We took frequent breaks and found it hard to complain amidst the beautiful scenery. We saw many other snowshoers, skiers, snowboarders and dogs sharing the trail.
It was a great day to be out and we had a lot of fun, but we’ll probably pick a flatter hike if we go snowshoeing again.
…and this time I wasn’t anywhere NEAR your car!