TWOLOST: The three hour snow adventure; Snoqualmie Pass, WA

[twolost]

Local weather forecast indicated the first significant snowfall would likely occur this weekend. This sounded like a good excuse to run up and over Snoqualmie Pass in the midst of this mini weather event and grab a hot coffee from the neighboring town. Turns out, we never made it that far. A few exits up from where we live is a Forest Service road that gains enough elevation that it usually makes the transition from rain to snow when Cascade snow is in the forecast.

The FS road started out bare and wet. Within the first mile snow started to appear. By the time we reached the locked gate several miles in, there was 6 to 8 inches of new snow on top of several inches of base.

The snow was a perfect consistency and our van (in 4x4 low) felt like it was on rails. In addition to us, there was an expedition outfitted Toyota pickup that successfully reached the end of the road as well as a Dodge Raider. The Dodge was out looking for more challenges and left as quickly as he arrived. The family of the Toyota stopped to go sledding and was kind enough to share their extra snow disk/sleds with my wife and daughter. Thank you!

Other than the family in the Toyota... we had the place to ourselves.

We left before the Toyota. On our return down the single track FS road we almost immediately encountered a Jeep Rubicon, snow flying from all four corners. Then a mile or so later we encountered the blockage. Multiple trucks stuck on an off-camber corner. There was also a line of folks in other vehicles that were headed up-hill and waiting for the road to clear (a Volvo SUV among others). Thankfully, with one tow line and enough spinning tires the log jam just cleared minutes after we arrived.

Below this vehicle chaos was a half dozen other vehicles that were either stuck, on their way to getting stuck, or were just pulled as far off to the side of the road as they could get not wanting to push their luck.

With our snow fix satisfied, we just headed back home to make our own coffee.



.
.

Dang locked gates.

.
.

View a couple of miles past this now locked gate (taken back in 2004).

.
.

Our daughters soon to be first ever sledding experience.

.
.

She LOVED it!

.
.


.
.

Mom, driving.

.
.


.
.


.
.


.
.


.
.


.
.

Fun times!!

Cheers,
TWOLOST + 1

[macmcintire]

I always enjoy your pictures and seeing the joy your SMB brings to your family. Thanks for the winter wonderland pictures.

[BroncoHauler]

The smile on your daughter's face, and your wife's, says it all.


Herb

[twogone]

envy!

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

The smile on your daughter's face, and your wife's, says it all.


Herb

Yep, very cool.

[Pschitt]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

The smile on your daughter's face, and your wife's, says it all.

+1 ! Nice pictures as always.

[Stillvanin]

Bring on the snow!!!

[twolost]

Thanks folks!

This trip was made even better by the family in the expo’d out Toyota pickup who loaned us their extra sled/disk. My wife and daughter really had a blast with these. The only oblong piece of ABS plastic that I brought along was a pair of MaxTrax. Needless to say, I lost every race.


Cheers,
TWOLOST + 1

[Ocsmb]

Priceless pics

[rockbender]

Originally Posted by macmcintire

I always enjoy your pictures and seeing the joy your SMB brings to your family. Thanks for the winter wonderland pictures.

I agree, Mac! I always look forward to your photos and story telling. Your daughter has sure grown!

Thanks for sharing.