Disclaimers

Quick-and-dirty version

Access: Summit East Ski Area
Round Trip: 6 miles
Elevation Range: 2520′-2560′
Essential Gear: cross-country skis
Dog-Friendly: no on groomed trails

The Trail

My first time cross-country skiing and couldn't be happier to be on a nicely groomed and mostly flat trail!

Our Route

1. From Hyak Sno-Park, we went along Keechelus Lake for six miles round trip.

Highlights

• Lake and mountain views

Lowlights

• An afternoon start with an early sunset

Flat, easy, and beautiful. and you can sled down a decent hill before/after.

Easy drive to Snoqualmie Pass today. This was my second time using the Hyak area for XC skiing. Imagine parking just off the freeway to have some fun in the snow! Thank you tax payers.

The trail was lovely and straightforward. It is shared with cross-country skiers, so we stayed off-trail or to the left. Parking at the SnoPark was easy because we purchased a day pass beforehand, but know that if you buy a season pass, it won't apply unless it's for SnoParks with groomed trails like this one. People before us had to buy a day pass on top of their session pass.

The trail signage was a little confusing near a campground. Hiking trails that look like the path you're meant to follow didn't lead to much. It seemed like you were meant to stay up high at the ski trail the whole time and not go closer to the lake edge.

Overall a straightforward out and back. We didn't see a clear turn around point so we just turned when we started to get tired.

The new boot blister-fest has improved a bit more adding some little wedges to avoid heal lift. We XC skied this day using the Crystal Springs area to gain access to Lost Lake.

DRIVE AND GET PASS: Easy 1-90 to North Bend, my first stop. You will need a groomed trail pass sticker for your car window AND a smaller little specialized groomed sticker you put on the groomed trail pass. This needs to be purchased at the Chevron Station in North Bend. The ticket for not having one is $100+.

PARKING: Beyond Snoqualmie Pass and then exit at 62 is the 4 lots. Park in lot #5 for dog sleds we parked out of their way near the port-a-potts if you can. 

FEE TO PLAY: After paying for the pass and sticker in North Bend as mentioned earlier, it is free to play.

RESTROOMS: Port-a-Pottys or forest. Please LNT

EQUIPMENT RENTAL ON SITE: None

DOGS: Are allowed on the dog sled trail. 

GROOMED TRAIL: Part of your $25 parking fee covers grooming in this area. The trail is wide. 

ETIQUETTE: Trail etiquette is slower skiers stay to the right. We started with dog sledders so we stayed right. If a faster skier comes up behind they are to go to the left and go around the slower skier. If you are a classic skier and want to ski the inner portion be aware of the faster skate skiers. Snowshoe folks stay far to the sides off the groomed areas and tracks. 

THE TRIP: We started out from parking lot #5 to the west, then around the dog sled loop, next onto the main ski/snowmobile area and then along the Palouse to Cascades section and dog sled sections. At the far end of Lake Keechelus (east) take a left beginning to head uphill to Lost Lake.

HAZARDS: First Aid-I just recently purchased new XC skis and boots. I had REI look at them last week and insert a small wedge under the insole so my heals wouldn't lift and rub, it was slightly better so there were no hazards except I should have been better prepared last week with some mole skin, larger blister bandages and at least started with some duct tape at the back of my foot to prevent my heals from lifting and rubbing causing quarter sized blisters. 

Food Water- 10 miles and 2500 calories meant I gobbled down lunch and all snacks I brought. I also drank 1L of water so bring a water filter if you want to get it from one of the streams located along the way. 

Snowmobiles share the road with you so be aware.

A great day with Olympia Mountaineers group! Made new friends and got to explore an area I hadn't been.

Close to 11 miles RT 1000' elevation gain made for a lot of self propulsion 2500 calories burnt.