Last week's blisterfest had healed enough for some XC skiing using the Crystal Springs area for some snow sports. I brought my boots and snowshoes just incase my ski boots were too much of a pain.
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 #1 near the port-a-pottys if you can. I imagine this is quite busy on the weekend.
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 not allowed on most trails except the dog sled trail.
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 parking lot, then around the Ehrling Stordahl loop, next onto the main ski/snowmobile area and then along the Palouse to Cascades section and dog sled sections. Along the way there were a few off-trail un-groomed areas to explore marked with signs for snowshoe.
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- 3.5 miles and 1400 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.
A great day with Olympia Mountaineers group! Made new friends and got to explore an area I hadn't been.
Close to 3.5 miles RT Minimal elevation gain made for a lot of self propulsion 1400 calories burnt. The snow was really perfect even in the ungroomed areas of Ehrling Stordahl.
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