I was hoping to snowshoe up to Artist Point this morning, but conditions had me a bit worried - snowing, low visibility, avalanche control mortar attack in progress ... so I stopped at White Salmon Road. I had done this route a few weeks ago, but I'm still really glad I did it again - it was just what I needed today.
**HUGE THANKS to the Nooksack Nordic Ski Club, for their maintenance and care of these winter trails. There is great SIGNAGE throughout White Salmon Road (see photo) that really helps with navigation. Their website is also a great resource: https://www.nooksacknordicskiclub.org/
I left Bellingham at 6:15am, arrived at White Salmon Road around 7:30am. The small parking area is plowed, but a few inches of new snow made it a little slippery. I was the only car there. The highway was plowed and in great condition both ways.
I did the same loop as a few weeks ago - snowshoe to the Knob, then back on the snowshoe shortcut, across the forest road, then along the Ridge Road to Pete's Shortcut, then back to the car. It's a great loop with some good variety.
Not a whole lot to add to the last report I posted, but today there was definitely more snow this time, both on the road and in the trees. It snowed on me the whole time, which meant no mountain views, but also meant a different kind of magic.
On the main road, you can still see the ski tracks from earlier grooming, but there is definitely new snow on the ground. It is wet snow, and it gets a bit sloppy down by the intersection with the Extension turnoff, but there are no bare spots, at least right now.
Highly recommend the snowshoe shortcut on the way back - more snow on that route as well. There are some short, steep sections, but just take it slow and watch for the blue diamonds.
The best part was once again the Ridge Road - there are two short, steep sections early on this trail, but it is worth the suffering. So much more snow, the trees crowding in, views of Shuksan (but not today). Someday I will go the entire way to the White Salmon Ski Lot, but today I turned at Pete's Shortcut and went back to the car. Just as I made it to my car, another person was heading out with skis - I told him he had the place to himself, so enjoy!
A great morning in the mountains - 3.7 miles total, 650 feet elevation, on the trail for 2 hours, 15 minutes. Grateful for the chance to snowshoe today.
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