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Trip Report    

Cross-country Ski from Hyak- Palouse to Cascades Trail

The snow conditions are great currently. Groomed and tracked.

Danielle Graham Danielle Graham
December 09, 2022
  • Snow and ice on road

  • We were lucky to get a decent weather window for driving. The roads were in pretty good shape, with all but the high speed lane clear of snow. The “crux” was moving to the left and using hazards about a .5 mile before every exit east of North Bend as trucks were parked, exiting, entering, or putting on chains in the breakdown and slower lanes.

With a storm coming in the afternoon, we agreed we’d ski out and back, with a leader and a sweeper, turning around after 75 minutes. We enjoyed home made cookies at the turn around thanks to Barb M. The skiing conditions were great. A few participants used some glide wax at the mid-point. When we arrived at the Sno-Park at 10:00, the groomer had gone east; they were returning when we finished up. Bathrooms were open. Of note, there is a layer of ice under the snow in the parking lot; this could make for difficult driving into the sno-park up to the toll booth if there is a line of cars. Be cautious stepping off the trail, as the ungroomed/untracked snow is very soft and not consolidated. Happy skiing!