Home > Forum > Low elevation tours?

Low elevation tours?

  • dkoelle
  • [dkoelle]
  • dkoelle's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Junior Member
  • Junior Member
More
23 Dec 2015 14:12 #225418 by dkoelle
Low elevation tours? was created by dkoelle
Any suggestions for a lazy Nordic-style tour around Longmire? I guess there are nature trails, or could one ramble up the Wonderland trail towards Cougar Rock campground? Looking for a family activity over the weekend. Any other suggestions for poaching low-hanging logging roads off I-90, such as Mason Lake/Bandera road for example?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Gary Vogt
  • [vogtski]
  • Gary Vogt's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Premium Member
  • Premium Member
More
23 Dec 2015 15:46 - 23 Dec 2015 15:50 #225420 by Gary Vogt
Replied by Gary Vogt on topic Re: Low elevation tours?
Twitter has the park closed at Nisqually Entrance today due to falling trees:
Invalid consumer key/secret in configuration

The Wonderland to Cougar Rock can be tricky for casual skiers.  Foot & snowshoe traffic packs a trough.  There are some short sharp hills that might require removing skis. Drainage problems begin about mile 0.4, followed by a short section just below the road subject to plow bombardment, then usually about a hundred yard portage past more snowless drains.

That said, the upper half of the trail can be quite pleasant.  At about mile 1.2, there is a left fork that crosses the plowed road to the campground loops.  Loop 'A' is the shortest & hilliest. and probably has the best views of Eagle Pk.   All the five loops have larger trees against the mountain away from prehistoric mudflows.  The Nisqually footlog at Cougar Rock is washed out.

Across the road from the Longmire Inn is the Trail of the Shadows, a half-mile loop popular with hikers.  The Westside Road is snow covered now and offers views starting about mile 2.  A few subltle avy paths can reach the road in big storms starting before that.

A pleasant short trip  of a mile or two in reasonable visibility is the Nisqually River dike.  Turn right into Nisqually Park just outside the entrance; go straight half a mile, park at the gate.  The paved trails at Ashford County Park are probably skiable now, offering both flat & hills.  Ask at Whitakers about the 'PT' trail, a pleasant road that climbs the base of the hill behind the coffee shop.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.