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Census-designated place in Washington, United States
Photo: DarkRavag3r, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Snoqualmie Pass is a ski resort in the Cascade Mountains, on the border of King County and Kittitas County in Washington State. It is the closest skiing area to Seattle, about an hour away.
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This hulking overpass allows wildlife to cross the road. Tall fences along this stretch funnel animals to various underpasses, as well as this overpass, to allow safer movement and migration of both creatures and people.
Has the most beginner-friendly green runs.
Has a large terrain park and a halfpipe.
previously known as Hyak
Has predominately moderate blue runs.
Offers mostly expert-level black runs. The in-bounds area at Alpental contains a several-hundred foot tall cliff that's pretty great to ski off of, but check the landing for plenty of snow first, and do this only if you're an expert skier. Pay attention to, and believe the double black diamond signs. The Alpental out-of-bounds backcountry is impressive and readily accessible; make sure to obtain a Backcountry Pass from the Ski Patrol (at their Shack atop Chair 2) before exploring.
7.2 miles roundtrip, 1,800 feet elevation gain. A moderately strenuous hike, traversing through forest to an alpine lake. Stay and relax, consider a swim. Continue along the trail to Gem Lake, and beyond. A good hike from Jul to Oct, high avalanche danger in winter.
The Pacific Crest Trail extends all the way to Canada and Mexico. Building the trail north of the pass required substantial blasting of the rock, creating the narrow Kendall Katwalk cut into the steep cliffs, about four miles down the trail (8 miles roundtrip, 2,600 feet elevation gain).
1 mile roundtrip, 10 feet elevation gain. A loop around a calm pond with views deep into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
previously Iron Horse State Park, John Wayne Trail
Multi-use trail extending from North Bend to Idaho. This entrance is near a repurposed railroad tunnel that cuts under the pass. The 2.3-mile tunnel rarely climbs over 50°F (10°C), making it a welcome respite from summer heat. Bring a headlamp (or two, just in case), as the tunnel is completely unlit.
Pizza by the slice.
Hotel right next to the Chevron; holds resupply packages — free with a reservation (include your reservation date on the label), $15 for non-guests. Restaurant, sauna, hot tub, laundry on site. Ship via UPS (reports of USPS packages getting misrouted to the Chevron next door).
A convenience store that caters to the needs of outdoors enthusiasts.
Roadside store and contract post office; accepts resupply packages ($10 hold fee). Address as General Delivery, Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068 (not the street address) to avoid mix-ups. Limited storage on-site — unclaimed packages may be forwarded to the North Bend Post Office, 26 miles away.
By bike
By foot
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) extends along the west coast of the United States, from Mexico to Canada. Snoqualmie Pass is an important supply stop between two of the more remote sections of trail.
By ski bus
During ski season, several ski buses leave in the morning from Seattle, Bellevue, and North Bend, and return in the afternoon.
During ski season, Summit at Snoqualmie runs the free Summit Shuttle between the main bases.
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