Hyak Lake, Nordic Pass, Windy Pass & Mount Catherine

getting there

Hyak Ski Area

Take Exit 54 (Gold Creek/Hyak) off of I-90. Drive to and park at the Hyak Ski Area (2,630 ft).

Hyak Sno-park

Take Exit 54 off of I-90, turn left onto Forest Road 2219 and follow it 1.5 miles to the Hyak Sno-Park.

approach & ascent

Hyak Lake (3,300 ft)

Basic Snowshoe
2.5 miles round trip with 700 feet of elevation gain

A fairly easy trek with minimal potential avalanche danger.

nordic pass (3,500 ft)

Basic Snowshoe
7 miles round trip with 1,600 feet of elevation gain

Head west up hill along the powerlines and/or along the cabins until about 2,900 ft then head on a 230° bearing to Nordic Pass.

Windy Pass (3,800 ft)

8.0 miles round trip with 1,300 feet of elevation gain,

g-xc3 intermediate groomed cross-country ski

Ski the state groomed cross-country ski trail from the Hyak Sno-Park to ~0.5 mile before the Cold Creek bridge. Look for blue diamonds marking the trail on the right. Climb steeply through the woods following blue diamonds until intersecting the Summit Nordic Center's Cold Creek groomed trail. Ascend that trail to Windy Pass.

Mount Catherine Loop

10.5-mile loop, 1,520 feet of elevation gain, high point: 4.060 ft

g-xc4 advanced groomed cross-country ski

A difficult cross country ski route that circles Mount Catherine at Snoqualmie Pass, partially on groomed trails and partially on steep, forested hillsides.

Mount Catherine (5,052 ft)

Intermediate snowshoe, Backcountry Ski, winter scramble or spring snow scramble
9 miles round trip with 2,700 feet of elevation gain

Head west up hill along the powerlines and/or along the cabins until about 2,900 ft then head on a 230° bearing to Nordic Pass. Follow the ridge to the summit of Mount Catherine.

Alternate Route: When ski area is closed, hike under the ski chair lifts to the summit of Mount Hyak and then drop down toward the Radio Facility, 300° bearing, on the road. At the road intersection (~3,250 ft) follow the road until it crosses Mill Creek or stay in the timber. After crossing Mill Creek, follow a bearing of 242° ~1 mile to Nordic Pass, then follow the ridge to the summit of Mount Catherine. Alternatively, ~0.5 mi from Nordic Pass, head south gaining a broad ridge on the north side to the crest and then turn right and follow the ridge to the summit. This route is ~3,000 feet of elevation gain.

notes

• It is best to do in winter or early spring when snow is present.
• This route intersects upper part of the Snoqualmie Pass Nordic Center's trail system. Be careful to avoid walking on the groomed cross-country ski tracks. A trail pass is required for any use of the ski resort's groomed Nordic trails.
• Avoid all active downhill ski runs or check with ski patrol confirm if uphill travel is allowed during downhill ski operations.
• Be careful to avoid the private land north of the chair lift.
• The Iron Horse Trail is normally groomed and tracks set on most days during the winter if the snow conditions permit. The short section of trail linking the Iron Horse Trail to the Cold Creek Trail/Common Corridor is never groomed and is often better traveled on foot, carrying skis. The Cold Creek Trail/Common Corridor Trail is normally groomed and tracks set on the days that the Summit Nordic Center is open (usually Fridays, weekends and holidays during the winter).
• There is a potential avalanche slide zone just above the current location of the Jim Brooks Warming Hut. On the days that the Nordic Center is open (usually Fridays, weekends and holidays during winter) the trail will be closed below the slide zone at times for avalanche danger. On other days of the week to check for avalanche forecast (link below).

Information for Leaders

Scheduling & Permits

• If you are scheduling this as a non-course related activity, please limit your group size to the recommended party size. The maximum party size is for use by course field trips only, and includes both students and instructors. Group size maximums do not reflect how course field trips are run (in smaller groups of students and instructors), but allow for course leaders to register the course in our system.

• Suitable Activities: Backcountry Skiing, Cross-country Skiing, Scrambling, Snowshoeing
• Seasons: January, February, March, April, May, June, December
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Difficulty: G-XC 3 Intermediate Groomed, G-XC 4 Advanced Groomed
• Length: 8.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 2,700 ft
• High Point: 5,052 ft

• Land Manager: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
  Snoqualmie Ranger District (MBSNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12