Take a Hike

Easy Access - Hike for a Snowy Skyline View

Scott Harder Scott Harder is an avid hiker, rock climber, mountaineer and backcountry skier from Mill Creek. He has owned and operated Cascade Guiding Services and worked in the outdoor industry for more than six years. Currently, he’s in the process of launching an online outdoor gear business. E-mail him at: scott@climbwashington.com

Although this hike has been known as “Heather Ridge,” more backcountry travelers refer to it as “Skyline Ridge” because of its proximity to Skyline Lake. Don’t expect to find serenity or tranquility on the weekends here, just plenty of people that like to get out in the winter and have fun in the snow. It can be a safe choice because of its proximity to the ski area and the amount of people on the trail on the weekends.

See the video:
www.425magazine.com/media/skyline_lake.php

The trail starts from the northeastern portion of the parking lot. Pass the electric  substation on the left and continue past it on the access road that is used for maintenance on utility towers on the upper mountain. This creates a sometimes easy-to-follow trail that is marked by snowmobiles and follows a very nice and wide switchback system. This is all true unless a heavy snowfall has recently happened and wiped away any signs of other travelers.

Continue on past several cabins and follow the grade as it angles toward a telephone relay station at the base of the open slope (elevation 4,400 feet). From there,  follow the switchbacks up toward the ridge crest another 500 vertical feet where the ridge will become wider and less steep.

Once you reach the radio relay shed at 4,900 feet,  the arduous hiking is mostly over and the views of the surrounding area come into view. If you continue northwest or follow the trail that is most used, you are bound to find yourself at Skyline Lake (elevation 5,092 feet).

Skyline Lake is home to many back country classes and tours where participants can brush-up skills and learn new ones,  including how to construct snow caves,  camp in the snow and avalanche safety,  which is something I always recommend. Check out REI for free entry-level classes.

Most travelers make Skyline Lake their high point,  but you also can follow the trails toward the top to the ridge line and stare at Glacier Peak,  a volcano (elevation 10,539 feet) and Mount Stuart (elevation 9,415 feet). Some of these slopes are steeper and require more experience in snow travel.

MAP IT!
Green trails: No. 176 Stevens Pass, Benchmark Mountain No. 144
USGS quad: Stevens Pass, Labyrinth Mountain

GETTING THERE
Drive U.S. Highway 2 east to Stevens Pass and turn into the parking area across from the Stevens Pass ski area.

GOOD TO KNOW
Permits/Access: No parking pass is needed during the operating months of Stevens Pass ski area. Please make sure to ask a parking attendant where the best place to park is for day use.

BOOK REFERENCES
“Snowshoe Routes of Washington,” by Dan Nelson.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Skykomish Ranger Station: 360.677.2414 or fs.fed.us/r6/mbs

CAUTION!
Be safe and wary when traveling in the snow. Use caution after large snowstorms and check the Web for updates on avalanche conditions and talk to the local ranger station. Details: nwac.us

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