Winter Fix

Feed your snow addiction with snowmobiling

It is a well-known fact among us mountain enthusiasts that our trail space at the ski resorts in Washington has become quite congested. While some people opt for regulating their snow addiction by rescheduling work hours or just simply going cold-turkey, there is a remaining congregation of us who, no matter what, just need to find better alternatives to the crowds without major changes to our lifestyle. The answer to our dilemma is backcountry snowmobiling.

Exploring the Sno-Parks

From Whatcom to King County, there are plenty of places to explore. Mount Baker highway, in the past, has offered two different Sno-Parks (access areas for snowmobilers), Canyon Creek Road and Glacier Creek Road. Unfortunately last year brought a devastating blow for Canyon Creek Road in the form of a major landslide, which took out access to the expanses beyond. Glacier Creek is now the hotspot for the snow-machinists of Whatcom County. Glacier Creek is accessed just east of Glacier on the right-hand side of the road and offers a fair amount of wonderful terrain to play on. However, with the closure of Canyon Creek, Glacier Creek Road has become quite crowded and finding parking after 8 a.m. is challenging. I highly recommend adhering to the folk wisdom of: “The early bird gets the worm.”

Highway 20 offers some of the most dramatic scenery in all of Washington and the Sno-Parks follow suit. Baker Lake has winter access to the southern bowls of Mount Baker itself. The crowds are not as severe here, except for holiday weekends, and the main trails are about as spectacular as they come. Baker Lake Sno-Park can be accessed from just a few miles west of Concrete off Highway 20 and is well marked. Highway 2 also offers some delightful “machining” once in the Stevens Pass area, and Leavenworth has multiple parks spanning from State Route 2 all the way to 97. The drive for most Whatcom county residents might make it worth planning an over-night trip, but anyone who is bold enough can get plenty of rooster-tailed fun in and still make it home for dinner. For a more complete list of Washington Sno-Parks and their regulations, just go online to www.parks.wa.gov/winter/trails.

Play it safe

The North Cascades offers some of the best backcountry snowmobiling in our nation, although with the dramatic landscapes comes the inherent danger associated with such beautiful peaks. Snowmobiling is, by far, the most dangerous backcountry winter sport. Snowmobilers account for more than 95 percent of all human-triggered avalanches in the world, so it is extremely important that people heading for the bountiful back bowls of the Cascades to know their basics:

  • NEVER go by yourself. While tempting, this is almost certainly a death sentence if an emergency arises.

  • Be prepared. Always make sure you have backup belts, sparkplugs, shovel, spare rope and an avalanche beacon. Along with these items and the rest of your gear, make sure you are confident in how to use them properly.

  • When in doubt, turn around. If the terrain seems too difficult or you just have a case of the “heebie-jebbies” head for home and stay safe so you can play another day.

  • Make sure you and your pals know where you are and where your going at all times. Always let someone else know when you should be returning in case the “cavalry” has to be called.

  • First-timers should always have an experienced guide. You can find snowmobiling guide services on almost every major mountain road in the state (i.e. SR-542, SR-20, SR-2, I-90). Looking online for them is a great place to start.

Always remember safety first and enjoy getting your winter fix.