Snow Safety

Before you head out, make sure you review the basics

• Weather

  • if is too extreme, don't go

  • NWAC Mountain Weather Forecast

• Road Conditions

  • do you have the proper gear

  • is it safe to proceed

  • Washington State DOT Mountain Passes

  • Sign up for updates

• Avalanche

  • Review and keep up to date on local conditions

  • NWAC - National Avalanche Center

  • Review slope angles with caltopo.com

• Rangers

  • Talk the rangers - they are often the first and sometimes the only ones to know about local conditions

  • They generally know about good places to check out

• Wilderness First Aid

  • Take the course

  • Review cold injuries

  • Develop a real evac plan

• Scout gear

  • It is surprising what scouts and adults don't bring

  • We cover what to pack in our Winter Skill Adventure Program and have detailed packing and gear lists

  • See our Snowpacking Gear Section

• Trip plan

  • Set one up with emergency contact info and complete itinerary

• Communication

  • If you won't have reliable cell coverage, you should have a satellite communication option

• Parking Passes if needed

  • America the Beautiful National Parks Pass

    • National Park Service, Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation sites

    • Discounts for veterans and others

  • US Forest Service Lands - Washington and Oregon

    • Annual Pass

    • Day Pass

  • Discover Pass

    • Washington State Lands

  • Washington Sno-Park (non-motorized) Permits - Sales between November 1 and April 30

    • One-Day Permit

    • Seasonal Permit

    • Special-Groomed Trail Permit

Washington Snow Camping Locations

Snoqualmie Pass

• 47.42922, -121.41348

• Open area is reasonably accessible from road

• February snow deep enough for various snow shelter options

• Ski patrol nearby

• Amenities nearby

Denny Creek

• Just west of Snoqualmie Pass - less visited area

Stevens Pass

• 47.74512, -121.10336

• Significant hill to climb to get away from ski area and into open area away from avalanche area

• Ski patrol nearby

• Amenities nearby - real bathrooms and restaurants if needed

Skyline Lake Backcountry Camp (Stevens Pass)

• 47.75657, -121.09667

• wta.org

• Location: Stevens Pass, 36 miles from Leavenworth

• Access: Walk-in

• Beginner Backcountry Snow Campers

Crystal Mountain

• 46.94948, -121.47157 ?

• Ski patrol nearby

• Amenities nearby

Mount Rainier

• 46.78630, -121.73586 Parking Lot and Bathrooms

• visitrainier.com/winter-camping-at-mount-rainier

• Short walk from parking lot to camping areas

• Can set up a cracker barrel and restroom break before bedtime

• Rangers nearby

• Intro to Snow Shelters

Reflection & Louise Lakes

• 46.77056, -121.7224

• Location: Near Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park

• wta.org

• visitrainier.com/reflection-lakes-loop-snowshoe-2

• Access: Walk-in

• Start at Narada Falls parking lot or from Paradise,head down east and south Mazama Ridge

• Stevens Canyon Road past Inspiration Point seems like a good idea, but it is an avalanche area

• Instead - go left to take the Mazama Ridge bypass (FOLLOW ORANGE SIGN) and down saddle that leads to lake

• Experienced Backcountry Snow Campers

Mount Baker

• Heather Meadows Parking: 48.86245, -121.68250

• Artist Point: 48.84676, -121.69221

• Huntoon Point: 48.84257, -121.68619

• Access: Walk-in

• Glacier Public Service Center

• North Cascades National Park winter activity guide

• best backcountry camping located at Huntoon Point - 3 miles from Heather Meadows

• Advanced Backcountry with avalanche risk - check conditions prior to travel

Lake Wenatchee State Park

• Best for Beginner Snow Campers

• Access: Drive-up

• parks.state.wa.us/535/Lake-Wenatchee

• heated restrooms, showers and warming shelters

• Campsites and restrooms are accessible for campers with disabilities

• 30 miles of groomed cross-country and skate ski trails

• groomed sled hill

• 10 miles of marked snowshoe trail

• Need Special Groomed Sno-Park permit

• Beginner Snow Campers

Fields Spring State Park

• parks.state.wa.us/503/Fields-Spring

• Location: Southeast Washington, near the Washington, Idaho and Oregon borders

• Access: Walk-in or drive-up, depending on which cabins you choose

• Restrooms are accessible to campers with disabilities (some cabins may be accessible)

• Sno-Park Permit

• Best for Beginner Backcountry Snow Hikers