Bring the whole family to this beautiful river valley. The wide track, with plenty of open meadows and forest glades for exploring, offers great snow¬shoeing for folks of all abilities. The scenery will, likewise, appeal to all. The views begin with the glorious winter landscape around the trail--picture dark, shadowy evergreens flocked with heavy white snow set beside a clear mountain river--but soon all eyes are drawn to the vista beyond. This is a narrow valley, and the mountains flanking it soar straight up into the sky. From Goat Mountain to Mount Sefrit and the Nooksack Ridge, the peaks form a ragged skyline far above the valley floor.

When venturing out this way, be sure to call the district ranger first to get a current snow report. This is a fairly low-elevation trail, and although some years 3 or 4 feet of snow may be along the trail, mild winters can find the track snow-free for much of its length. Of course, one of the conveniences of snowshoes is that regular hiking boots can be worn when walking on them. That means, when the snow is thin, just stash the snowshoes and take a winter hike.

From the Sno-Park, you can simply ramble out into the open glades along the Nooksack River, but to get in a full day of snowshoeing, head out along Forest Road 3070 as it parallels the picturesque river upstream. As you hike up the valley, be sure to stay off the groomed ski tracks. Volunteers groom this trail for cross-country skiers, and there is no faster way to irritate skiers than by tromping their tracks into a series of deep snowshoe depressions. But plenty of room is available for all, and in several areas you can take off through open meadows to get well clear of the ski tracks and be off on your own.

Angle off to the left in the first mile or so to get down to the river for some water views. But stay back from the edge because weak snow may be overhanging the water. As you move up the valley, veer to the right to climb onto the foot of the valley wall and enter the dark cedar and hemlock forest. At 2 miles, turn sharply to the right (south) and climb a small bench for good, open views of Goat Mountain to the north.

Then traverse around the lower edge of the bench and enter the White Salmon Creek basin. Pick a path through the trees to the edge of the creek. For an extended outing, push on upstream and continue until the trees get too tight or your legs get too tired. To keep the trek modest, turn downstream and follow the White Salmon for 0.25 mile back to the main track, which ends where the White Salmon empties into the Nooksack.

Author’s Rating: Easiest.
Generally good trails for beginners, with little elevation change and minimal avalanche danger.