By: Rick Halsted
We’re looking for a battalion of serious snowshoers.  Or one really tough snowshoer. We’ve got a couple wonderful snowshoe trails that are in real need of packing before the next storm comes along.  The 1.8-mile South Park snowshoe loop offers wonderful and diverse scenery, and usually is a pleasant, mild-to-moderate walk.  Then there is the new “Rock Ridge” trail that climbs up from the Chiwawa Sno-Park – 600′ elevation gain and great views . . . moderately challenging on a good day – but with this snow?  A gut-buster.   30″ of new, light snow (more on the way) presents an opportunity for those with BIG snowshoes to put them to use in conditions they were intended for.  Breaking trail in these conditions is hard work!

If any of you out there enjoy snowshoeing, a good challenge and workout, and are familiar with the routes . . . we really could use your help!  30″ – 36″ snowshoes would be much appreciated by the trail-breaker.

We know…it can be a little confusing, and sometimes frustrating.. So, below is a presentation of which passes are required depending on your activity and location. A big thank you to Lake Wenatchee State Park and their staff for pulling all this information together into a two page summary. Summary Here.

Can I snowshoe? How do I do it? What stuff should I bring with me? Where can I go snowshoeing around here?

Join a Lake Wenatchee State Park Ranger for a fun, informative snowshoe hike and learn the answer to these questions (and more)! The hike will go for about a mile in easy terrain, with several stops along the way (suitable for the whole family). We will meet near the contact station at the north entrance of Lake Wenatchee State Park on Saturday, January 15 at 1:00 pm.

To get there, take Highway 2 west from Leavenworth about 15 miles, turn right on Highway 207 for four miles, turn left into the north entrance of Lake Wenatchee State Park. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather and bring water. Parking will be free for snowshoe hike participants only (no SnoPark permit required for this event). Snowshoe rentals at a discounted rate will be available at Plain Hardware and Leavenworth Mountain Sports.  Also, volunteers will be on hand to help people put on their snowshoes, and we will be giving away cool gifts from Leavenworth Mountain Sports!

Note: So far, we have plenty of snow this winter. However, if we happen to get a warm spell, please call the park at 509-763-3101 the day before the event to see if it is “still a go”.

Rick at the State Park provided the following UPDATE on Friday the 19th:  Current Conditions: Temp: 29 degrees.

Nason Ridge is no longer able to be groomed – about 1.5 miles of the first 2.5 mile stretch is ungroomable/ unskiable due to bare ground and running water.  Traveling over dirt and rocks can cause damage to the Sno-cat tracks and belting, so we are not able to access the upper section which is still in good condition.  Skiers (hikers) willing to trek to the good snow will find better conditions once the temperatures warm. The North Park continues to offer good skiing in the camp loops and upper stretch to the bill hill (approx. 1.5 miles total).  The South Park and shoreline trails of the North are in poor condition with too little snow for grooming.

South Park: No more grooming unless a turnaround in the weather.
Nason Ridge: Lower and Upper Nason groomed February 15. Good conditions after first few km.
North Park: To be groomed today, to be completed by 9 am. Decent skiing in the upper trails.
Chiwawa See & Ski: Insufficient snow for grooming this trail due to side slope, ruts, southern exposure.

I took the photo above on Monday Feb 15th AM on my way out to Nason Ridge, it was a great morning to be out, but I am afraid it was the last for this season unless something dramatic changes.

Snowshoe 101”

Can I snowshoe?  How do I do it?  What stuff should I bring with me?  Where can I go snowshoeing around here?

Join a Lake Wenatchee State Park Ranger for a fun, informative snowshoe hike and learn the answer to these questions (and more)!  The hike will go for about a mile in easy terrain, with several stops along the way (suitable for the whole family).  We will meet near the contact station at the north entrance of Lake Wenatchee State Park (watch for signs) on Saturday, February 13 at 1:00 pm.

To get there, take Highway 2 west from Leavenworth about 15 miles, turn right on Highway 207 for four miles, turn left into the north entrance of Lake Wenatchee State Park.  Wear clothing appropriate for the weather and bring water.  Parking will be free for snowshoe hike participants only (no SnoPark permit required for this event).  Snowshoe rentals at a discounted rate will be available at Plain Hardware and Leavenworth Mountain Sports.  Also, volunteers from Active Girl Escapes will be on hand to help people put on their snowshoes, and Leavenworth Mountain Sports will be giving away cool gifts!

Note:  Our snow cover has been very light this year.  Call the park at 509-763-3101 the day before the event to see if it is “still a go”.

The following is a new full-time, permanent position which we will be interviewing for in a few weeks.  We are looking for a person with a relatively broad range of professional level construction and maintenance skills.  The work location will be shared between Lake Wenatchee, Wenatchee Confluence, and Squilchuck State Parks.  Please check out the link below and/or call Rick Halstead at Lake Wenatchee State Park at 763-3101 or Matt Morrison at Wenatchee Confluence (664-6373) for more information.  Note the deadline for applications is December 11!

Thanks,

Rick Halstead
Park Manager

Construction and Maintenance Project Specialist
$3,935 – $4,453 monthly, Wenatchee Confluence and Lake Wenatchee State Parks, Wenatchee, Open Competitive
CLOSES 12-11-07
Visit http://www.parks.wa.gov/jobs.asp

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