IRON HORSE STATE PARK, WA :: Kristie and I headed up to Snoqualmie Pass today to enjoy the snow. My legs were itching to go on a hike, and Kristie wanted a break from writing her final papers. Our original destination was Twin Lakes, but we couldn’t find the trail. We had Dan Nelson’s snowshoe book in hand, but it wasn’t much help. First, it says to take a left from Exit 54 to get to the Hyak Sno-Park. You actually need to take a right from the freeway off-ramp, and then a left. We spent some time on the wrong side of the freeway until we figured it out.
Next, the book says to hike about .75 miles along the Iron Horse Trail to find the Twin Lakes trailhead. There was no trailhead. When we returned home, I checked my own maps and found the Cold Creek junction is at about twice that distance.
Last, the distance to the lake and back is nearly 7 miles roundtrip, instead of the 4 miles stated in the book. We weren’t alone in our confusion. Another group on the Iron Horse trail was looking through the same book, and asked if we knew the way to Twin Lakes! Oh well. Lesson learned. I’ll be sure to bring my own map next time.
Despite being unable to find Twin Lakes, we still had a pleasant hike along Lake Keechelus. The sun was out and the trees were laden with glittery snow. There were many skiers and snowshoers on the trail. A side route took us down to the lake, where we hiked in solitude between the stumps and enjoyed the scenery. It was a great day to be in the mountains!
Next, the book says to hike about .75 miles along the Iron Horse Trail to find the Twin Lakes trailhead. There was no trailhead. When we returned home, I checked my own maps and found the Cold Creek junction is at about twice that distance.
Last, the distance to the lake and back is nearly 7 miles roundtrip, instead of the 4 miles stated in the book. We weren’t alone in our confusion. Another group on the Iron Horse trail was looking through the same book, and asked if we knew the way to Twin Lakes! Oh well. Lesson learned. I’ll be sure to bring my own map next time.
Despite being unable to find Twin Lakes, we still had a pleasant hike along Lake Keechelus. The sun was out and the trees were laden with glittery snow. There were many skiers and snowshoers on the trail. A side route took us down to the lake, where we hiked in solitude between the stumps and enjoyed the scenery. It was a great day to be in the mountains!
