Where's the best place to ride up Snoqualamie Pass?

[94fordguy]

Hey, as many of you have seen in a previous thread, we're starting to loose a lot of the snow down low on the East side, and on top of that, we're getting bored of most of the other places that are still even accessible that are close to Yakima, so my friend and I are thinking about a run up to Snoqualamie pass somewhere.

Being that I really know nothing about what is up that way, Where is the best place to find some good hills?

Typically, we both like to hill climb the most, but anything that involves a snowmobile is obviously a step up from the work week, so what can you guys recommend?


I run an '02 RMK 800 151, and Mark runs an '06 900 RMK 166

All we're looking for is a little more snow than this

P.S. No, it's not that bad up high round these parts, just kinda hard packed and nothing's a challenge anymore

 

[ruffryder]

Well since you are coming from the east side, I would say Gallager area would be good, as far as the pass is concerned Gold Creek is good. Park at the Kachess side at the Stampede Exit. Lots of climbs to make you pucker. I do sitting at the bottom.

 

[94fordguy]

Thanks

I've heard both of those names thrown around on here quite a few times, and I noticed that Gold creek and a bunch of other trails are on the sno-park map, but I can't seem to find Gallager on the sno-park map... Where would it be?


Looking to hopefully get a good ride in up there SOMEWHERE

Thanks, and keep the ideas (and directions) coming

 

[winter brew]

Gallagher/Lake Ann are from the Salmon La Sac sno-park.
French Cabin has some fun areas, just a mile before salmon la sac on the left.

 

[ruffryder]

I've heard both of those names thrown around on here quite a few times, and I noticed that Gold creek and a bunch of other trails are on the sno-park map, but I can't seem to find Gallager on the sno-park map... Where would it be?


Looking to hopefully get a good ride in up there SOMEWHERE

Thanks, and keep the ideas (and directions) coming

Crap, really I don't know much so go here

wash snoparks

The Kachess side of gold creek is kind of close.

Gallager, Van Eps, Salmon La Sac and some on other (total of four) are out of the French Cabin area. Though it is sketchy.

Gold Creek is my call for what you like.

 

[94fordguy]

Crap, really I don't know much so go here

wash snoparks

The Kachess side of gold creek is kind of close.

Gallager, Van Eps, Salmon La Sac and some on other (total of four) are out of the French Cabin area. Though it is sketchy.

Gold Creek is my call for what you like.

Thanks, that makes more sense. Just for future reference, What kind of riding is Gallager and the other areas that adjoin it there?

Not looking to go crazy steep, but we'll look at a lot of em

 

[foxyrmk]

Thinking of heading that way too. Getting bored around here. A friend of ours told us to go to Salmon La Sac, but I noticed on the WSSA website that it and French Cabin sno-parks are closed? Is that true?

 

[GasOn]

gallager

Rocks, mud, stumps, small climbs, boring!

 

[ruffryder]

Thinking of heading that way too. Getting bored around here. A friend of ours told us to go to Salmon La Sac, but I noticed on the WSSA website that it and French Cabin sno-parks are closed? Is that true?

Interesting that it says it is closed. I was there last weekend. Anyone got any news on this?

 

[trlkidd]

Rocks, mud, stumps, small climbs, boring!

 

[eetmisno]

Was that pic taken last August?

J/K. Where was the pic taken really? My last ride was March 4th, backside of Rimrock, fresh powder, great day. Since then sold my sled and put a deposit on an '09 model. Talked to a couple guys they are still finding good snow on Darlan, Rockcreek and Section 3.

Always wanted to go up to that area, but just never wanted to take the drive. Let us know if you like it better?

 

[94fordguy]

J/K. Where was the pic taken really?

That picture was taken on March 16th (less than 2 weeks ago) on the south face of Divide Ridge at the end of the day coming back to the truck. We followed the Ridge east from the snow cabin above Blue lake to take a new way down a groomed trail, as we were coming down we ran into a group of guys that were coming back up because the trail ran out of snow. We backtracked about a mile from where we met those guys and followed them down this "shortcut" to avoid a detour the long way which would have been probably 5-10 miles longer. When we got to the bottom of the hill, luckily we got back onto some better snow, and started coming up and over White's Ridge to get back to the lot.

Up high it was a good day, but on the southern slopes there, and below about 4K feet, YES, it was REALLY that sparse, and the trails were hard as pavement!!!

 

[94fordguy]

Another ?

So, we're heading up to Gold Creek Sunday morning...


Where do we drive to park? All I can see from the map is that you head towards Lake Kachees, is that correct?

 

[Lake Cle Elum]

So, we're heading up to Gold Creek Sunday morning...


Where do we drive to park? All I can see from the map is that you head towards Lake Kachees, is that correct?

Gold Creek - Take the exit for Hyak (about exit 57). It's after you come along the lake and just before you start up the hill. Take a right and then another immediate right. Go about 2 miles and the road dead ends at the snow park. Unload your sled and then drive back the way you came until you can park.

If you get there too late on a weekend, you can walk back almost a mile to your sled.

Another option coming from Yakima is take exit 62 - Turn right and head north till you come to the snow park at Lake Kachess. You then come into the same are from the east rather than from the west.....This would save you a few miles, a little time, and be less congestion.