February 12, 2006, Nordic Pass Trail/Mt. Catherine
2/12/06
WA Snoqualmie Pass
2668
3
This was an excellent day to do the Mt. Catherine Loop on cross country skis. We were expecting cloudy skies and frozen crud for snow, but instead we had a beautiful sunny day and snow that was somewhat soft for the top inch or two. It was also a good opportunity to check out the Nordic Pass Trail and see how many of the blue diamond markers need replacement during the maintenance trip in a couple of weeks.
The Nordic Pass Trail is a good route for backcountry skiers (climbing skins recommended) and snowshoers. The trail heads up through lovely forest and there are no snowmobiles to be seen, heard or to pollute the air. According to my non-expert opinion, the entire route has minimal avalanche danger. And no trail fee is required.
We started our loop trip by walking from the Gold Creek Sno-Park lot to the Nordic Pass Trailhead. To get to the trailhead, you first walk under I90 to the Hyak/Summit East entrance. After entering Summit East we took the first road to the right, another quick right, bore left at a fork in the road and continued to a road switchback. At the end of the switchback we left the road and continued straight to a creek crossing where we could see a Nordic Pass Trail sign on the far side. We had two challenges here. The first is to climb the six foot snow bank out of the plowed road canyon. The second is to cross the creek. We cut a few steps to get up the snow bank and found a snow bridge to cross the creek. When climbing out of the road stay away from the driveway to the left. The owner is a little sensitive about skiers near his property. Now it was just a matter of following the blue diamonds. But since many of the diamonds are missing, it is best to have someone familiar with the route lead the way.
The first part of the route headed up a triangular shaped section of forest with Hyak Creek on the right and the wooden pole power line corridor on the left. With climbing skins we made good time skiing up to the crossing of the power line corridor which is also used as a downhill connector trail from Summit Central to Summit East. On the upper side of the corridor we reentered the forest and skied up to a lovely meadow near Hyak Lake. We had a nice break in the meadow enjoying the sunshine. We then followed the trail along Hyak Lake and up to the crossing of the road from Grand Junction which is groomed for cross country skiers. On the other side of the road we went through a short section of forest and then entered the large clear-cut area surrounding the metal tower power line corridor.
The metal tower power lines marked the end of the lower half of the Nordic Pass Trail. On the other side of the power line corridor we picked up the trail again and continued to Nordic Pass. The second half of the Nordic Pass Trail is more heavily used since a number of people who ski the groomed trail network will take the trail over Nordic Pass. We continued up the Nordic Pass Trail and reached Nordic Pass at about half past noon making the pass an excellent lunch stop. We found a nice sunny spot with no wind for lunch. If I start eating my sandwich before I put on extra clothing the trip passes my good weather test. I definitely reached for my sandwich first on this trip! Nordic Pass is forested, but there are some views towards Silver Peak and Tinkham through the trees.
From the pass we dropped the steep 200-ft slope to the Windy Pass Road. On this day the slope had icy snow here and there and was not much fun. Two members of our party took off their skis and walked. They beat the skiers down. From Windy Pass we had a fun time skiing down the Windy Pass Road. The road is groomed, but this section of the road is part of the Common Corridor and backcountry skiers can ski it without having to buy a trail pass. The Common Corridor ends a short ways beyond the little “stairway” building where the short Connector Trail leads to the Iron Horse Trail. The snow on the Connector Trail was lousy so most of us took off our skis and walked. Once at the Iron Horse Trail it is a level half mile back to the Hyak Sno-Park. From the Sno-Park we continued to the railroad tunnel where we climbed out of the grade to the Summit East entrance. For a map of the trail which includes GPS waypoints, or for any questions, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Nordic Pass Trail is a good route for backcountry skiers (climbing skins recommended) and snowshoers. The trail heads up through lovely forest and there are no snowmobiles to be seen, heard or to pollute the air. According to my non-expert opinion, the entire route has minimal avalanche danger. And no trail fee is required.
We started our loop trip by walking from the Gold Creek Sno-Park lot to the Nordic Pass Trailhead. To get to the trailhead, you first walk under I90 to the Hyak/Summit East entrance. After entering Summit East we took the first road to the right, another quick right, bore left at a fork in the road and continued to a road switchback. At the end of the switchback we left the road and continued straight to a creek crossing where we could see a Nordic Pass Trail sign on the far side. We had two challenges here. The first is to climb the six foot snow bank out of the plowed road canyon. The second is to cross the creek. We cut a few steps to get up the snow bank and found a snow bridge to cross the creek. When climbing out of the road stay away from the driveway to the left. The owner is a little sensitive about skiers near his property. Now it was just a matter of following the blue diamonds. But since many of the diamonds are missing, it is best to have someone familiar with the route lead the way.
The first part of the route headed up a triangular shaped section of forest with Hyak Creek on the right and the wooden pole power line corridor on the left. With climbing skins we made good time skiing up to the crossing of the power line corridor which is also used as a downhill connector trail from Summit Central to Summit East. On the upper side of the corridor we reentered the forest and skied up to a lovely meadow near Hyak Lake. We had a nice break in the meadow enjoying the sunshine. We then followed the trail along Hyak Lake and up to the crossing of the road from Grand Junction which is groomed for cross country skiers. On the other side of the road we went through a short section of forest and then entered the large clear-cut area surrounding the metal tower power line corridor.
The metal tower power lines marked the end of the lower half of the Nordic Pass Trail. On the other side of the power line corridor we picked up the trail again and continued to Nordic Pass. The second half of the Nordic Pass Trail is more heavily used since a number of people who ski the groomed trail network will take the trail over Nordic Pass. We continued up the Nordic Pass Trail and reached Nordic Pass at about half past noon making the pass an excellent lunch stop. We found a nice sunny spot with no wind for lunch. If I start eating my sandwich before I put on extra clothing the trip passes my good weather test. I definitely reached for my sandwich first on this trip! Nordic Pass is forested, but there are some views towards Silver Peak and Tinkham through the trees.
From the pass we dropped the steep 200-ft slope to the Windy Pass Road. On this day the slope had icy snow here and there and was not much fun. Two members of our party took off their skis and walked. They beat the skiers down. From Windy Pass we had a fun time skiing down the Windy Pass Road. The road is groomed, but this section of the road is part of the Common Corridor and backcountry skiers can ski it without having to buy a trail pass. The Common Corridor ends a short ways beyond the little “stairway” building where the short Connector Trail leads to the Iron Horse Trail. The snow on the Connector Trail was lousy so most of us took off our skis and walked. Once at the Iron Horse Trail it is a level half mile back to the Hyak Sno-Park. From the Sno-Park we continued to the railroad tunnel where we climbed out of the grade to the Summit East entrance. For a map of the trail which includes GPS waypoints, or for any questions, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Nice report, Gary.
I've been to Nordic Pass a number of times both from Hyak and the Silver Fir chair, and have noticed the markers from time to time, especially near Nordic Pass, but I never really knew where the actual trail started.
I sent you an email requesting the map.
On another note, you mentioned snowmobiles...
My assumption is that they certainly wouldn't use the 9070 road while it is groomed for nordic skiing as the Catherine Loop (would they???). I've also seen their left over beer cans and other garbage and tracks up around the Windy Pass clear cut and Silver Peak basin after the ski area closed and the road was no longer groomed for nordic. There has been mention on other threads that snowmobile use of that area is not allowable (which I am hoping is the case). But even the illlegal users shouldn't be up there yet.
So I guess my question is where are the snowmo's that you mention are being avoided by taking the trail you toured?
I've been to Nordic Pass a number of times both from Hyak and the Silver Fir chair, and have noticed the markers from time to time, especially near Nordic Pass, but I never really knew where the actual trail started.
I sent you an email requesting the map.
On another note, you mentioned snowmobiles...
My assumption is that they certainly wouldn't use the 9070 road while it is groomed for nordic skiing as the Catherine Loop (would they???). I've also seen their left over beer cans and other garbage and tracks up around the Windy Pass clear cut and Silver Peak basin after the ski area closed and the road was no longer groomed for nordic. There has been mention on other threads that snowmobile use of that area is not allowable (which I am hoping is the case). But even the illlegal users shouldn't be up there yet.
So I guess my question is where are the snowmo's that you mention are being avoided by taking the trail you toured?
Gary, thanks for the tour and the route info.
To all: if you like this route, then it would be a good idea to comment on The Summit's DEIS, because The Summit's plans as shown in their preferred alternative 2 will allow them to develop the area of the Nordic Pass Trail and the only big remaining area of mature forest, wildlife habitat, and "dispersed winter recreation" (like BC skiers) on this side of the highway. See the Random Tracks links to the DEIS.
http://www.turns-all-year.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=ha1;action=display;num=1139428544
To all: if you like this route, then it would be a good idea to comment on The Summit's DEIS, because The Summit's plans as shown in their preferred alternative 2 will allow them to develop the area of the Nordic Pass Trail and the only big remaining area of mature forest, wildlife habitat, and "dispersed winter recreation" (like BC skiers) on this side of the highway. See the Random Tracks links to the DEIS.
http://www.turns-all-year.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=ha1;action=display;num=1139428544
ron j,
Near the entrance to Summit East I noticed a sign prohibiting snowmobiles. So I don't expect to see any in the area. My comment about snowmobiles not only applies to the Nordic Pass trail, but applies to the whole Mt. Catherine area and is in contrast to other I90 destinations such as Amabilis, Microwave Hill and Mt. Margaret where you will find the nasty machines.
Near the entrance to Summit East I noticed a sign prohibiting snowmobiles. So I don't expect to see any in the area. My comment about snowmobiles not only applies to the Nordic Pass trail, but applies to the whole Mt. Catherine area and is in contrast to other I90 destinations such as Amabilis, Microwave Hill and Mt. Margaret where you will find the nasty machines.
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