Sasquatch Ski Loops

Utilizing three looped routes on the south flanks of Mount St. Helens, the Sasquatch ski loops offers visitors several ways to enjoy winter in the south Cascades. You can ski or snowshoe these, just remember if you're snowshoeing to stay to the side of the groomed trail in the established snowshoe track.

From the Marble Mountain Sno-park, walk or ski on the Pine Marten trail for 2 miles to the Sasquatch trailhead. Alternately, you can use closed, snow-covered Forest Road 83, which is shared with snowmobilers. The Pine Marten trail is more winding, but likely offers a quieter trail experience. The Pine Marten trail joins with Forest Road 83 about a half mile from where the Sasquatch Loops begin.

Look for a large wooden signpost engraved with a map of the trail system just off Forest Road 83. Use the map to get a sense of what you'll do for the day, but do be sure to have your own mapping device so you can keep track of where you are as you navigate these loops, especially the upper loop, which is in open rolling terrain and so does not have very many markers to follow.

There are three loop options, the lower, middle and upper loop. These are more difficult as they get higher up the mountain's flanks. The lower loop is the most beginner friendly, the middle is more of an intermediate route, and the upper loop is steeper and more challenging, though potentially also more interesting. While all of the routes offer forested rambling, the higher routes offer better views of snow-covered Mounts Adams (in the distance) and St. Helens.