White Pass, Washington, is well known for its excellent family-friendly tracked and groomed cross-country ski trails. The White Pass Nordic Center also offers family-friendly snowshoeing trails. Here's a guide to help you explore the snowy trails of White Pass.
White Pass Nordic Center
The Nordic Center, with its easy access, marked trails, and fairly gentle terrain, makes for an excellent destination for first-time snowshoers and novices, as well as experienced folks looking for new territory to explore. The White Pass Nordic Center staff would like to welcome you to the quiet side of the ski area. We maintain 26 kilometers of trail that provide a variety of terrain suitable for beginning through expert cross-country skiers.
We offer rental equipment for cross-country skiing, skate skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking. Once you arrive at White Pass, you’ll want to head over to the Nordic Center’s yurt, just above the Nordic Center trailhead. There you can pick up a complimentary map of the snowshoe and cross-country trail system, rent snowshoes, cross-country skis, and book lessons.
Nordic Center Highlights:
- Guided snowshoe tours
- White Pass Nordic Team for kids
- Twilight Snowshoe Tours (Saturdays December 2OTH through February 28th)
- Doggie Hour (leashed dogs allowed beginning at 3:30 pm)
- Fat Bikes available for rental
If you don’t own a pair of snowshoes, you can rent them at the center’s Yurt, open Thursday-Sunday (and holidays) 8:30 am - 4:00 pm.
Read also: Winter Wonderland Snowshoeing
How-to-Snowshoe: Learn the basics from the experts | L.L.Bean
Trail Pass Rates:
| Full Day | Late Day (valid after 1:30pm) | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (ages 17 - 72) | $35 | $25 |
| Junior (ages 9 - 16) | $25 | $17 |
| Child (ages 8 and under) / Super Senior (ages 73 and up) | FREE | FREE |
| Season Pass | $235 |
Rental Equipment:
| Nordic Ski Rental Package Adult - Classic or Skate | $34 |
| JR/SR - Classic or Skate | $29 |
| Snowshoe | $20 |
| Altai Hoks | $26 |
| Pulk or Child Sled | $26 |
| Fat Tire Bikes 1-hour | $20 |
| Fat Tire Bikes 2-hour | $32 |
NOTE: Trails are opened and closed at the discretion of WP Nordic Center Staff.
Popular Snowshoeing Trails
Leech Lake Loop
The snowshoe trail begins from the Yurt and is clearly marked. It is absolutely imperative that you do not snowshoe on the tracked ski runs. Follow the main snowshoe trail north crossing several ski trails reaching the shoreline of Leech Lake after .1 mile. While not exactly donning a name that conjures up a warm fuzzy feeling, this 41-acre pretty mountain lake is cradled by big trees and fed by an array of pristine wilderness creeks. Blanketed in snow you won’t see any leeches-or other aquatic creatures in the lake, but it sure is pretty carpeted in white.
Now head right on the Lake Loop Trail along the shoreline enjoying good views east to Spiral Butte. The trail hugs the shore for awhile before darting into a beautiful stand of old-growth Alaska yellow cedars. The way then follows along the lake’s outlet creek coming to the Lake Loop Ski Trail and a bridge at .7 mile. The northern shore of the lake loop is a little rougher than the southern shore, crossing a lot of streams that may make crossings a little tougher in low a snow pack and warming temperatures. If this is the case, just head back to your start the way you approached.
Read also: Snowshoeing Guide: Traverse City
Here traverse the open slope above the lake taking in a sweeping view of Leech Lake, Spiral Butte to the east and the White Pass downhill ski slopes to the south. At .8 mile from the Falls Trail junction reach a familiar junction at Leech Lake.
When you reach the trailhead you have two wide trails to choose from. This is where the center’s main loop, also known as the Lake Loop, starts and finishes. The trail on your left is more difficult and heads uphill before curving east around the lake. The right trail curves around the lake’s south side and is an easier, flatter trail, which is great for beginning snowshoers and families with young kids. Since the staffers at the yurt recommended that we avoid the snowshoe-only trail around the lake due to snowmelt, Erik and I decided to take Finn along the south side of the main Lake Loop. There we snowshoed at our own pace, enjoying wide-angle views of the slopes before descending down a gentle hill to a tree-lined trail with views of the frozen lake.
Waterfall Spur
Time to make a choice; do you want to continue snowshoeing around the lake, or head out to the waterfall? If the waterfall is your objective, turn right and head up a small bluff. You’ll immediately cross the Pacific Crest Trail which may or may not be tracked; and then soon afterward cross the Corral Loop Ski Trail. Continue north across a small opening and then begin traversing beautiful old growth forest.
The trail skirts a steep slope and makes one small climb before descending about 50 feet coming to a major ski trail junction at 1.3 mile. Now in impressive forest, follow alongside a small creek coming to a junction at 1.8 miles. Head left first on a short spur coming to a small waterfall in a hidden little gorge. Retrace your steps back to the previous junction and continue straight passing through a small frozen meadow before reentering old-growth forest. At 2.4 miles reach the Dog Lake Loop Ski Trail.
Turn left and hike familiar ground .6 mile back to Leech Lake. From here you can continue your loop around the lake or return the way you started from the Yurt.
Read also: Unforgettable snowshoeing adventures
Sand Lake Route
The route to Sand Lake begins where the Pacific Crest Trail meets Highway 12 east of White Pass, crosses through the White Pass Nordic area and heads northwest on a gentle ascent for a 5.6 mile round trip jaunt. From the parking area on Highway 12, climb up and over the berm just west of the National Forest Sign, the trail appears in a few hundred feet, crosses a bridge over the marshy area to the right of Leech Lake and heads straight to meet the blue-diamond sign for the Pacific Crest Trail in 0.25 miles.
From here, the route heads north on soft gentle switchbacks through dense forest, crossing one more groomed track. The William O. Douglas Wilderness boundary appears at 1.25 miles and the route takes a more northwesterly direction towards Deer Lake. The forest unfolds to present a large meadow on the right at 2.25 miles and 5200 feet. Looking for a small break in the trees across the meadow at 2.5 miles, expect deeper snow and navigation as fewer people continue past Deer Lake and the trail is sometimes lost here.
After weaving through the forest, another clearing opens up on the right at 2.7 miles. The lakeshore sits along the Pacific Crest Trail at 5300 feet and 2.8 miles from Highway 12. You can stop here or continue a bit further around to the left and find a sunny snow drift to enjoy lunch. Plan 3-4 hours for your adventure, taking water and essentials.
Other Snowshoeing Options
- Pacific Crest Trail: You choose the length of your trip while skiing the Pacific Crest Trail near White Pass. Trek past little alpine lakes and climb rounded hills, tour wide open meadows and travel through dense forests.
- Silver Falls: For those looking for a setting of peace and quiet, without a lot of ups and downs or route finding, this is an excellent choice. The trail to Silver Falls is flat and wide and relatively easy to follow. Take time to enjoy the quiet, dense forest as you trek through the trees. Enjoy the mighty Ohanapecosh River that follows the trail, eventually leading to magnificent Silver Falls.
- Burley Mountain Lookout: An arduous route, the trek to Burley Mountain Lookout follows a narrow section of rock through the trees, never ceasing in its direction to the top. Views are spectacular - look upon vast snow-covered meadows and see the mighty mountains of the Cascade Range - Mount Rainier, Mount St.
- Horseshoe Lake: Start the tour with a three-mile ski up a snowmobile path (stick with it, it’s worth it!), and then you’re on your way trekking along a lovely skier-only trail through the snow-covered forests to serene Horseshoe Lake. Not a difficult trek, but the route-finding can be tricky. Always carry a map and compass.
- North Fork Tieton River: There are several options for snow touring at North Fork Tieton River. Five different routes to be exact - and they all offer beautiful views and fairly easy, level routes. The one exception is the difficult mountaineering route to the summit of Round Mountain; a route for only the most experienced skiers.
Important Notes
- Always carry and map and compass.
- Trails are opened and closed at the discretion of WP Nordic Center Staff.
- It is absolutely imperative that you do not snowshoe on the tracked ski runs.
Trailhead Directions
- White Pass Nordic Center: From Morton, follow US 12 east for 55 miles to White Pass.
- Burley Mountain Lookout: From Randle, drive one mile south on Forest Road 25 and then turn left (east) onto FR 23 (Cispus Road). Continue on FR 23 to its junction with FR 28/21. Bear right on FR 28/21, cross the Cispus River, turn right onto FR 76, and continue past the Cispus Environmental Center to FR 77 on the left.
- Horseshoe Lake: Turn south off US Highway 12 at 7.6 miles east of White Pass or 26.2 miles west of the junction with State Route 410. Follow Tieton River Road 3.3 miles to the North Fork Tieton River Sno-Park. Ski ¼ mile to Round Mountain Road No.
- North Fork Tieton River: Travel US Highway 12 7.6 miles east of White Pass or 26.2 miles west of the Highway 410 junction and turn on Tieton River Road No.
- Silver Falls: Highway 12 to the junction with SR 123 and turn left onto SR 123 (north). Drive to the Ohanapecosh Campground on the left.
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