A Local’s Guide to Snoqualmie Pass Adventures

Hiking Trails

Explore the Cascades.

From gentle waterfall walks to alpine summit pushes, the trails around Snoqualmie Pass deliver wilderness within an hour of the city. Trail details courtesy of the Washington Trails Association.

Moderate

Snow Lake Trail

The most popular hike in the area, leading to a stunning glacial lake beneath Chair Peak.

7.2 mi · Round Trip 1,800 ft gain


Strenuous

Mount Si

An iconic Cascade climb with sweeping views of the Snoqualmie Valley and Mount Rainier.

8.0 mi · Round Trip 3,150 ft gain

Moderate

Rattlesnake Ledge

A family-friendly classic ending on a dramatic rocky perch above Rattlesnake Lake.

5.1 mi · Round Trip 1,160 ft gain

Strenuous

Granite Mountain

A wildflower-filled climb to a historic fire lookout with 360° volcanic views.

8.6 mi · Round Trip 3,800 ft gain


Moderate

Annette Lake

A serene forested route to a tranquil subalpine lake — ideal for a swim in summer.

7.5 mi · Round Trip 1,400 ft gain

Easy

Twin Falls

Mossy old-growth forest leading to thunderous waterfalls in the South Fork canyon.

2.6 mi · Round Trip 500 ft gain

Scenic view of a lake surrounded by rugged mountains with sparse vegetation and a few tall evergreen trees in the foreground, under a clear blue sky.

Easy

Franklin Falls

A short, family-friendly walk along the South Fork to a 70-ft cascade — magical in winter when the falls fringe with icicles (snow park pass required).

2.0 mi · Round Trip 400 ft gain

Strenuous

Kendall Katwalk (PCT)

A bucket-list stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail blasted into a sheer granite cliff — heart-stopping ridge views over the Cascades.

12.0 mi · Round Trip 2,700 ft gain

Moderate

Mount Catherine

A short, steep climb to a quiet summit above Hyak with panoramic views of Keechelus Lake and the Pass.

3.4 mi · Round Trip 1,350 ft gain

Always check current conditions on WTA.org and the Mt. Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest before heading out. A Northwest Forest Pass is required at most trailheads.

Best Winter and Summer Activities: Skiing, Tubing, Sledding, Hiking, Biking, and Alpine Lakes

Things to Do

Four seasons. Endless adventures.

Whether you visit for a powder day or a midsummer alpine swim, the Pass rewards every kind of traveler.

Ski & Snowboard

Four base areas at The Summit at Snoqualmie offer night skiing, terrain parks, and Nordic trails.

Snowshoeing

Strap on snowshoes and head out on guided ranger walks at the Gold Creek Sno-Park or self-guided routes through quiet old-growth forest. Rentals available at the Summit Nordic Center.

Cross-Country Skiing

Summit Nordic Center grooms 50+ km of classic and skate trails at Summit East — plus night skiing under the lights on weekends. Beginner lessons and rentals on site.

Summit Tubing Center

Lift-served tubing lanes at the Summit Tubing Center at Summit Central — lit up at night for groovy after-dark runs. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for families and groups.

Mountain Biking

Lift-served downhill at Summit Bike Park plus the Palouse to Cascades Trail through old rail tunnels.

Paddle Lake Keechelus

Swim, paddleboard, and kayak on this glacier-fed reservoir — the best place on the Pass to get on the water.

Hiking & Backcountry Camping

Endless trails and dispersed and developed sites across the Alpine Lakes Wilderness — permits required for overnight backcountry stays.

Frisbee Golf

A full-mountain disc golf course at Summit West — start at the top of the Pacific Crest Chair and descend through forest, meadows, and open ski runs. Free to play, dawn to dusk.

Picnic at Gold Creek Pond

An accessible paved loop with picnic tables and stunning peak views — perfect for an afternoon by the water.

Skiing and Snowboarding at the Summit at Snoqualmie & Alpental

The Summit at Snoqualmie

Four base areas. One mountain pass.

Just 52 miles east of Seattle, The Summit links four distinct ski areas along I-90 — from the steeps of Alpental to the family-friendly slopes of Hyak. Buy lift tickets and passes at summitatsnoqualmie.com.

A snowy mountain landscape at dusk with snow-covered peaks, forested slopes, and a ski resort on the lower hills, including ski slopes and buildings. A winding highway runs through the bottom left corner.

Summit East (Hyak)

Quiet glades and Nordic country.

The mellowest of the four bases — uncrowded tree skiing, a beginner-friendly layout, and the gateway to the Summit Nordic Center plus the Hyak tubing hill. Open select days; check the operations calendar.

Summit 3,710 ft

Vertical 835 ft

Lifts 3

Runs 20

View trail map

Summit West

Where it all started.

The original Snoqualmie ski hill (est. 1937) and the heart of the resort's learn-to-ski programs. Gentle pitches, full-service lodge, and night skiing under the lights every operating evening.

Summit 3,765 ft

Vertical 775 ft

Lifts 6

Runs 26

View trail map

Summit Central

Parks, pipes, and progression.

Home to the resort's marquee terrain parks and a wide mix of intermediate cruisers. Central is the connector base — ski-link to West and East via the inter-area trails on bigger snow days.

Summit 3,865 ft

Vertical 975 ft

Lifts 6

Runs 32

View trail map

Alpental

The steeps. The legend.

The Pass's most challenging terrain — chutes, cliffs, and the famed Alpental backcountry gate. A magnet for advanced and expert skiers chasing storm-day powder in Source Lake basin.

Summit 5,400 ft

Vertical 2,200 ft

Lifts 5

Runs 37

View trail map

Summer Adventure and Events at Snoqualmie Pass

Summer at the Summit

When the snow melts, the mountain comes alive.

The Summit at Snoqualmie reinvents itself each summer with chairlift sightseeing, live music, disc golf, and lift-served biking — see the full slate at summitatsnoqualmie.com.

Scenic Chairlift Rides

Ride the Pacific Crest Chair at Summit West for 30+ minutes of panoramic Cascade views. Open Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day — one ticket good for unlimited laps all day.

Summer Music Series

Free live music every Saturday afternoon in the Summit West plaza, 3:30–5:30 PM. Local talent, mountain backdrop, brews and bites for purchase.

Palouse to Cascades Trail

Bike the gentle rail-trail grade from Hyak through the 2.3-mile pitch-black Snoqualmie Tunnel, then continue 20+ miles down to North Bend. Bring a headlamp and a jacket — the tunnel stays cold even in August.

Summit Bike Park

Lift-served downhill mountain biking with flowy forest trails, rock slabs, and technical descents — one of the premier bike parks along the I-90 corridor.

Thunderbird Disc Golf

A new full-mountain disc golf course at Summit West — start at the top of the Pacific Crest Chair and descend through forest, meadows, and open ski runs. Free to play, dawn to dusk.