Skirting beautiful high alpine meadows, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) rolls north from White Pass on a gentle climb, providing snowshoers with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the high country of the Cascades in winter without a long slog up a wide logging road. This trail dips into thick old stands of forest, but it is the open meadows, long ridges, and high peaks that make this a special trail. Pass by large circular plains of snow (frozen lakes) and rolling dunes of drifted snow. This trail offers an immersion into the dreamlands of mountain country in winter. Snowshoers of all abilities will find enjoyment here, as the terrain is open and gentle. They can hike as much, or as little, as they desire.

The PCT actually crosses US 12 to the east of the ski area, but you can catch it by skirting Leech Lake--which abuts the parking area--on its south shore, staying well to the side of the groomed ski tracks. Follow the curve of the lakeshore to the north for 0.5 mile, and just like that, jump on the PCT.

The trail climbs gently through a thick stand of fir and then open meadow for 1.4 miles to a small creek basin. Stay left here (a trail also leads off to the right, cruising down the creek valley through open forest to Dog Lake in 1.5 miles), and traverse a large meadow at the head of the creek valley, passing the nearly round Deer Lake basin at 2.7 miles. At the lake, the trail turns north once more and rolls gently uphill through meadows broken occasionally by thin stands of wind-gnarled trees. The trail is obliterated by snow in this open country, but the route stays along the broad crest of a shallow ridge as it leads due north.

At 3.3 miles, find Sand Lake on the right (east) side of the ridge. The lake is often obscured because the gentle slope of the banks and the surrounding open country allow the snow to drift in and cover it. So look for an oblong flat surface just below the ridgeline at 5300 feet. This is the place to turn around, unless you plan on pitching camp out in the winter wilderness. For extended exploring, hike on up the trail as it rolls north, pushing through more meadows, forests, and past small alpine lakes.

The Sand Lake basin and the small ridge above it offer nice views of the surrounding peaks, including Cramer Mountain to the north, Spiral Butte to the east, and Round Mountain to the southeast. It's sometimes possible to see the summit of Mount Adams protruding on the southern horizon, too.

Author’s Rating: More Difficult
Some previous snowshoe experience helpful. Some winter survival skills recommended (basic knowledge of avalanche evaluation, emergency shelter construction, etc.). Elevation gain is usually less than 1000 feet with a gradual slope.