Late-Season Nordic and Snowshoe Trips
Longer daylight offers more early-spring adventures
By Michael Fagin
Photo at right: A Nordic skier admires Mt. Baldy while exploring the Scottish Lake trails near Leavenworth, Wash. Photo © Dennis Long
While it’s easy to get excited about Nordic skiing and snowshoeing early in winter when the snow is first starting to fall, the longer daylight hours of late-season snow adventures can mean even more fun. Try one of these five trip ideas to get the most out of your late-season Nordic skiing and snowshoeing trips.
Scottish Lakes High Camp
Near Leavenworth, Wash.
The Scottish Lakes area has over 35 miles of Nordic trails and is located on the eastern slope of the Washington Cascades, adjacent to the picturesque Alpine Wilderness.
This is certainly a place for all seasons, but my most memorable times are in the spring. By the end of February we have almost three more hours of daylight than we had during the middle of winter. And, as we move toward spring, warm days encourage skiing in shorts and a t-shirt.
The route to Lake Julius, only five miles roundtrip, is a great trip for Nordic skiers with basic to intermediate skills. For snowshoers, it’s an easy trek. If you are looking for more challenging runs, try the Wild Bill Hill, which is located next to the day lodge.
Mowich Lake
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is a popular destination for winter or spring trips. Skip the crowds at the popular Paradise recreation area on the south slope of Rainier, and head to the less frequented Mowich Lake at the Northwest corner of the National Park.
During snowy months, the road is gated about five miles before the lake, so that’s a good point to start skiing. The grade is gentle and perfect for beginners. It is also a great place to snowshoe.
Once at the lake you can ski or snowshoe another half mile to the Mowich Patrol Cabin, which was built in 1922 and was used by park rangers. Too bad you can’t go inside for a hot drink, as this cabin is now closed.
While you have to make a short detour in order to get a glimpse of Mount Rainier when it’s not socked in, there are plenty of other potential views. To the north is Castle Peak, so-called because it is naturally carved like a castle. To the west you will find Fay Peak.
The trek to the cabin is 11 miles roundtrip, with just a 1,300-foot gain.
www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter.htm
www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mowich-lake
Cypress Mountain
Near Vancouver, B.C.
Do you want an Olympic-class skiing venue north of the border? Cypress Mountain — located just north of downtown Vancouver — hosted the freestyle skiing and snowboard events during the 2010 Olympic Games.
Cypress also offers classic ski and skate-skiing trails, and night skiing. There are also more than six miles of snowshoeing trails.
The upper cross-country ski trail system offers a heated warming hut where you can eat your sack lunch. Or, as an alternative, traverse back down the hill to enjoy a full meal served at the Nordic Café or the Hollyburn Lodge.
Mt. Bachelor
Near Bend, Ore.
Ready to change venues and head 500 miles south of Vancouver, B.C.? There you will find the longest season of groomed Nordic skiing in North America at Mt. Bachelor near Bend, Ore.
The sun-soaked slopes in late spring (last year as late as mid-June) make this a great late-season ski destination. The extensive Nordic system offers more than a dozen groomed trails covering 35 miles (56 kilometers), and you can ski up to an elevation of 6,400 feet.
This snow lasts late into the spring and can be enjoyed by advanced, intermediate and beginner skiers.
Galena Lodge
Ketchum, Idaho
About 24 miles north of Sun Valley in south central Idaho at the base of the Rocky Mountains, is Galena Lodge which offers accommodations in yurts that are similar to those used by nomadic tribes in Asia over 3,000 years ago!
The yurts here, however, are quite a bit more luxurious than could be found three millennia ago, with a sauna, high-tech woodstove and optional dinner delivery from the lodge. You can ski or snowshoe a short distance to your yurt and even have a snowmobile drop off your food and gear.
The semi-backcountry with its groomed trails, provides skiers and snowshoers with an abundance of beautiful views of the 10,000 foot peaks of the Boulder Mountains.
Michael Fagin of Redmond, Wash., provides custom weather forecasts on a worldwide basis from the Pacific Northwest to Mt. Everest to storm events across the United States. Fagin is also the lead forecaster for West Coast Weather www.westcoastweather.com; check out his hike of the week and weekly extended weather outlooks at www.hikewashington.net
