Snowshoeing on Forest Roads: A Guide to Winter’s Secret Trails
Thousands of miles of forest roads, access roads and decommissioned logging roads crisscross public land across Washington. When they're snow-free, vehicles bump along and the hikers inside watch the scenery pass by as they drive the last few miles to the trailhead. But come winter, snow blankets the landscape and the road becomes the trail.
When parking along a forest road, cars should only be parked on one side of the road, leaving enough space for search and rescue vehicles to get through in case of an emergency. White Salmon Road Snowshoe. Photo by Jasper & The Girl Scouts.
The network of wide, gently graded corridors seemingly pops up over night, offering miles and miles to ski or snowshoe to your heart’s content — until the snow melts anyway. These ephemeral trails are compelling in their own right, taking hikers through frozen forests and climbing to expansive views. Before heading to the nearest snowy road and starting to walk, there are a few things to consider.
- Find the right road: Roads are managed by many different agencies. Make sure you’re recreating on a road on public land that is closed to vehicle traffic for the winter. Roads in national forests, national parks and state forests make good options for parking and walking. County roads and state highways do not because they are subject to different rules.
- Park like a pro: The same snow that makes forest roads such fun can also make parking a challenge. Snow banks can make parking along the shoulder difficult, and if your route has a parking lot it may not be plowed. Parking responsibly during the winter means parking on only one side of the road to allow space for emergency vehicles to pass through, and being prepared with a plan B if there is no way to park safely. Only park on the shoulder of roads on public land, do not park on the shoulder of state highways or county roads.
- Remember, it's still a hike: Snowy roads offer many conveniences to winter recreation. The way is usually obvious since you can follow the wide roadbed, and the grade tends to be moderate, but don’t be lulled into a sense of security just because you’re on a road. It’s important to keep winter safety in mind and know the terrain you’re heading into. Pack the 10 essentials, and extra gear for the winter like plenty of warm layers and extra food and water. A good map is also important since forest roads often branch and fork multiple times.
- Be avalanche aware: No matter where you go in the winter you should be aware of avalanche hazards and conditions. Some roads are closed during the winter because they travel through dangerous avalanche terrain. Do your research and avoid these areas. Tree wells, snow bridges and cornices are some other common snow hazards that can be present even along a seemingly safe road.
- Mind the tracks: It's good form to snowshoe next to — but never on top of — cross-country ski tracks when you see them.
With these things in mind, snow-covered roads can provide the perfect backdrop for winter wandering. We’ve put together a few ideas below to get you started.
Mount Rainier Area
Mather Memorial Highway Snowshoe
Location: Chinook Pass - Highway 410
Mileage: 10 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
Views of the White River from the Mather Memorial Highway Snowshoe. Photo by LittleAngelsMollie.
Snowshoe along Highway 410 to see this busy summer highway turned into a hushed winter landscape. The wide, gently graded road makes for a hassle free snowshoe route with views of the White River along the way.
> Plan your trip to the Mather Memorial Parkway Snowshoe using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Dalles Ridge Snowshoe
Location: Chinook Pass - Highway 410
Mileage: 8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
The lovely roadbed of the Dalles Ridge Snowshoe route. Photo by CarolineMD.
This snowshoe in the Snoquera area is a great winter option near Mount Rainier. Follow the road as long as you want, and watch the views open up as you climb.
> Plan your trip to the Dallas Ridge Snowshoe using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Central Cascades
Preston Creek Road Snowshoe
Location: Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
Mileage: 13.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: Varies
Views off the Preston Creek Road Snowshoe of the Entiat Valley. Photo by Darth Thaddeus.
This is a great winter option in the Entiat Valley. Get your blood pumping with a steep start that levels off to display stunning views of the Entiat Valley and its peaks.
> Plan your trip to Preston Creek Snowshoe using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Hurley Road Snowshoe
Location: Blewett Pass
Mileage: 5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 550 feet
Mountain views in deep snow from the Hurley Road Snowshoe route. Photo by cascadesdj.
This road walk near Blewett Pass is a low-key alternative to the nearby Sno-Parks. Go on a weekday for increased solitude, and prepare to share the way with snowmobiles and cross-country skiers.
> Plan your trip to Hurley Road Snowshoe using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Little Wenatchee River Road Snowshoe
Location: Leavenworth Area
Mileage: 10 miles of trails
Elevation Gain: Varies
Misty mountain views from the Little Wenatchee River Road Snowshoe. Photo by ehiker.
This snowshoe route near Leavenworth provides a few different options. You can trek down the open road, climb to a viewpoint or complete an adventurous out and back to the river.
> Plan your trip on the Little Wenatchee River Road Snowshoe using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Rye Creek to Camp Lake
Location: Teanaway
Mileage: 5.6 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 250 feet
Snow-covered Camp Lake at the end of the route. Photo by cascadesdj.
This snowshoe route in the Teanaway Community Forest starts from a sno-park, but quickly finds solitude from the nearby snowmobile trails. Follow this quiet road along Rye Creek to a humble forest lake that makes for a good turnaround point.
> Plan your trip using WTA's Hiking Guide
North Cascades
Mallardy Ridge
Location: Mountain Loop Highway
Mileage: 10 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,900 feet
A forested road on a clear winter day! Photo by Clrza.
Link up a few snow-covered Forest Roads to complete this snowshoe route to Mallardy Ridge. These forest roads branching off from the Mountain Loop Highway provide miles of quiet winter walking.
> Plan your trip to Mallardy Ridge Snowshoe using WTA’s Hiking Guide
White Salmon Road Snowshoe
Location: Mount Baker area
Mileage: 5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 485 feet
A hiker ready for a winter campout off the White Salmon Road Snowshoe. Remember, it's good form to snowshoe next to or between, but never on top of, cross-country ski tracks when you see them. Photo by geezerhiker.
Explore nearby the Mount Baker ski area on this snow-covered Forest Road that opens up to views of Mount Shuksan and the surrounding mountains.
> Plan your trip on the White Salmon Road Snowshoe using WTA’s Hiking Guide
South Cascades
Maintenance Shed Road
Location: White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
Mileage: 7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Gorgeous views of Hogback on deep snow on Maintenance Shed Road. Photo by AllOfUs.
Enjoy a walk along this snowy road that is closed to snowmobiles. All that trekking will pay off with views of Chimney Rock, Coyote Ridge and even Mount Rainier if you make it to the end.
> Plan your trip on Maintenance Road Snowshoe using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Tieton River Meadows Snowshoe
Location: Goat Rocks
Mileage: 10 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 350 feet
Sun on the flat road of the Tieton River Meadows Snowshoe. Photo by AllOfUs.
Explore this Sno-Park by following the unplowed road along up the valley. Keep an eye out for elk, fox, martens and other wildlife that hang out in the river bottom.
> Plan your trip on the Tieton River Meadows Snowshoe using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Eastern Washington
Antoine Peak-Robbins Road Snowshoe Loop
Location: Spokane Area/Coeur d’Alene
Mileage: 2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 250 feet
Deep snow on Antoine Peak makes for a great day out. Photo by Todd.
This route follows an old logging road through the foothills of Mount Spokane, gaining enough elevation through ponderosa pine forests to offer up views of Spokane Valley at the apex of the loop.
> Plan your trip to Antoine Peak - Robbins Road using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Mount Spokane State Park-Mount Kit Carson Loop Road
Location: Spokane Area/Coeur d’Alene
Mileage: 7.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1500 feet
Hikers head up the Mount Spokane State Park-Mount Kit Carson Loop Road on a cloudy, snowy day. Photo by California Girl.
Link this old access road turned trail with any number of routes in the Mount Spokane State Park for the perfect snow outing for you.
> Plan your trip on Mount Spokane using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Olympic Peninsula
Dosewallips River Road
Location: Hood Canal
Mileage: 2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
Fun under a snowy tree on the Dosewallips River Road. Photo by Juli Hoza.
With enough snow, this river trail can become a snowshoe route. Walk along this closed road that leads into the Eastern Olympics. A good turnaround point is reached after one mile where the road is washed out.
> Plan your trip on the Dosewallips River Road Snowshoe using WTA’s Hiking Guide