Snoqualmie Pass Ski Resort’s Summit West was once a Seattle city park, the closest ski area to the city. Snoqualmie Summit (now Summit West), Summit Central, Summit East, and Alpental make up the four base areas of The Summit.
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Snoqualmie Pass at a Glance
Environs = Snoqualmie Summit + Ski Acres Hill + Mount Hyak
周圍地區=史諾夸米山頂+滑雪地山丘+海耶克山
Access: Summit West Ski Area
Round Trip: 9 miles
Elevation Range: 3000′-4200′
Gear: snowshoes
Route Info: Mike Black
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes
Snoqualmie Pass Ski Resort
Along with Snoqualmie Summit, I visited Ski Acres Hill and Mount Hyak. We were here five years ago, and I experienced what it’s like to dodge skiers with two dogs. So, no more going through the ski area when it’s still in session!
I haven’t made it to the resort before it opens in winter. But to my surprise, they’ve closed the place for the season. For some reason, I thought it would stay open longer with the extra snowfall this year.
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Snoqualmie Pass: Snoqualmie Summit
Starting at 3000′ altitude meant Snoqualmie Summit was only another 750′ higher. I chatted with two snow tubers at the bottom of the hill. Then I went up the slope in snowshoes in the early afternoon.
Snow had been in the sun for a while now, so it was slushy lower down. But judging from the millions of tracks on the field, many people had made it here over the weekend. Soon, I was at the top of the ski lift.
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Snoqualmie Summit Views
A few towers adorned the semi-woodsy summit with a couple of small sheds. But I could still see South Fork Snoqualmie River Valley on the west. Meanwhile, Interstate 90 (I-90) went through the bottom of the cliffs.
Humpback Mountain and Granite Mountain overlooked the corridor, with Denny Mountain on the other side of the freeway. Then to the north was the stunning view of Snoqualmie Mountain and Guye Peak.
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Snoqualmie Pass: Ski Acres Hill
Sitting at 1.5 miles away, Ski Acres Hill was the tallest of my three goals. Soon, I crossed Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from the south saddle. Then I went over the top of Wildside and down to the groomed trail.
From there to the top of Central Express was the most scenic. It had a continuous view to the northeast above I-90. Soon, I went into the trees up toward Ski Acres Hill and later walked past the snowy Divide Lake.
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Ski Acres Hill Summit Views
Right below the timbered top was an opening, where I caught a glimpse of Kaleetan Peak and Chair Peak. Then a short way west through a slight dip put me on the summit. But only Granite Mountain was visible from there.
I left a short while later and followed ski tracks to an opening below the top on the east. On my way down to Surveyors Lake, I saw Tinkham Peak, Silver Peak, and Mount Catherine.
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Snoqualmie Pass: Mount Hyak
Shortly, I made a brief stop by Surveyors Lake’s north end. Then I shortcut southeast to a road before Grand Junction, where the roadway lowered slightly. Despite being in the trees, mountain views were at every turn.
Soon, I went out into another open area at Mount Hyak’s northwest saddle. More tracks had made their way up here from Summit East today. Glad people were out and about enjoying the day!
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Mount Hyak Summit Views
It was a slog up to the top through slush. But it was even more challenging to keep a steady footing in the soft snow. Before long, I reached Mount Hyak’s unimpressive-looking high point.
Of all three summits, this one was at the best vantage point. Plus, north views to Chikamin Peak and Alta Mountain were incredible. But sheer Rampart Ridge above Gold Creek Valley was the most impressive.
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Outro
I watched a few skiers coming and leaving while savoring the scenery. Then I slowly walked down the ridge as views were hard to leave behind. But I still had to make my way clear back to Summit West!
There wasn’t a quick way to return, so I scrambled through trees to the connector trail then to Summit Central. Soon, I went over rolling terrain to Summit West and made a beeline for the parking lot at dusk.
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