Type of Event

Awesome Event

Presented By

Morgan Boyle, experienced snowshoe trip leader

Description

Come for a fun guided snowshoe tour at the Gold Creek Pond Snowshoe Trail led by an experienced snowshoe trip leader, where you can learn and practice basic snowshoeing skills while exploring the beautiful and easy to maneuver terrain at this trail.

Details of the Gold Creek Pond Snowshoe Trail can be found at: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/gold-creek-pond-snowshoe

Trip Distance: 2.0 to 4.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet

Bring snowshoes, poles, gaiters, snacks, water and weather-appropriate clothing. If you do not own snowshoes or poles, you can rent them at various outdoors retailers in Seattle (e.g. REI, Ascent Outdoors, etc.).

Meet at the trailhead (we will have a balloon tied to a hiking pole so you can spot us) at 9:00am – be sure to arrive on time.

For precaution against COVID-19, we are limiting this snowshoe trip to no more than 5 people total per the latest requirements for the State of Washington (which means we only allow for the first 3 people who register for this trip) and please bring your mask to the snowshoe trip.  We will also practice 6 feet apart social distancing with the group to the extent we can.

You will need a Sno-Parks Permit to park in the parking lot (https://www.wta.org/go-outside/passes/passes-and-permit-info) and we require that you sign a standard disclaimer form (provided after you have registered for the event) if you are to join this snowshoe trip. 

We assume there will be snow at that time to do this, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.  

NOTE: PREREQUISTE – You must have attended the “Snowshoe 101 –  Basics for Beginners”  virtual workshop held by Morgan Boyle in November to sign up for this snowshoe trip, unless you have experience in snowshoeing in the past.

Description

Gold Creek Pond Snowshoe Trail @ Snoqualmie Pass (Gold Creek is in Stevens county which is currently a Phase 3 county – https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/safe-start/whats-open-each-phase#Phase3)

According to the Washington Trails Association Page: Drive Interstate 90 east to Exit 54, 2 miles east of the Snoqualmie Pass summit. Exit I-90, turn north, crossing under the freeway. A few hundred feet north of the highway interchange, turn right into Gold Creek Sno-Park, which follows Forest Road 4832 and drive east parallel to the freeway for 1 mile. Forest Road 142 accesses the Gold Creek Pond trailhead, but is not plowed in winter. Park along Forest Road 4832 (Sno-Park permit required) and hike the 0.3 mile road to the turnoff to the Gold Creek Pond parking area. Gold Creek Sno-Park can be very busy and congested on weekends and holidays. The road is narrow and often icy.

About the Trip Leader

Morgan Boyle has been interested in the outdoors since he was a child.  During his childhood he spent a lot of time solo hiking around the trails close to his house, oftentimes trying to get lost so he could find a route back to the trail head.  For the past five years Morgan has been a member of The Mountaineers allowing him to get back to hiking and learning new snow skills.  He has been involved with The Mountaineers snowshoe program as an instructor teaching Basic and Back Country skills; and he enjoys sharing how different the trails look with seasonal changes with all skills levels.

Fee

• This is a designated “Awesome” event.
• Free for all members of The Koa Club
• A members-only exclusive event