Palouse to Cascades Trail - Lake Keechelus — Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024

DRIVE: Easy 1-90 to Snoqualmie Pass and then exit at Hyak.

PARKING: Being the holiday there was a real person at the pay station to help sort out my passes I already owned with what I needed. You'll end up paying $25 for a day pass for parking. Go early though, it was packed when we left around 2 pm.

FEE TO PLAY: After paying to park, it is free to play.

RESTROOMS: Heated individual bathrooms are probably worth the $25 paid to park. The restroom at 1.5 miles or so on the trail was locked.

EQUIPMENT RENTAL ON SITE: REI has a rental center "trailer" there open Fri, Sat, Sun for snowshoes, poles and sled rental. Located on the south side of the restrooms. They will probable be there until the end of February. Otherwise bring your own skis or likewise. You can reserve ahead online.

DOGS: Are not allowed

GROOMED TRAIL: Part of your $25 parking fee covers grooming in this area. The trail is wide and has both side groomed with tracks for classic skiers. The center is groomed for skate skiers. Which there quite a number on this day.

ETIQUETTE: Trail etiquette is slower skiers stay to the right or in the track. 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. Please do not walk in the tracks as it will trip skiers.

THE TRIP: We started out from Hyak and headed east to Lake Keechelus to the dam. Along the way there were a few off-trail un-groomed areas to explore marked with signs for snowshoe. The area was a beautiful and scenic with several small bridge crossings and streams.

HAZARDS: One very well marked avalanche area.

Food Water- 10 miles meant I gobbled down lunch and all snacks I brought. I also drank 1.5L of water so bring a water filter if you want to get it from one of the streams located along the way.