I assume you landed on this text since you already like to snowshoe along with your canine in winter otherwise you wish to begin doing it.
I’ve been snowshoeing with my canine for over 10 years and have traveled throughout Washington State to do it.
If you happen to’ve by no means performed it earlier than, there are a number of causes to begin snowshoeing along with your canine.
I counsel taking a newbie snowshoe class from the Mountaineers or occurring a guided snowshoe tour with REI.
Whereas canine should not allowed to attend these courses and excursions, you may go study the abilities after which take your canine with you if you really feel assured sufficient to go by yourself.
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a canine pleasant snowshoe path close to Seattle, or you’re coming from one other space of the state, these are the locations price touring to snowshoe along with your canine.
The place Am I Allowed to Snowshoe with My Canine?
Opposite to well-liked perception, you may’t simply discover some snow, strap on snowshoes, and take off along with your canine.
For instance, many snow parks, formally known as Sno-Parks, in Washington don’t enable canine.
Groomed cross nation ski trails usually don’t enable snowshoes or canine as a result of they will mess up the groomed floor.
You even have to think about avalanche hazard. Many summer season trails can change into demise traps in winter.
Usually although, you and your canine are welcome:
- On any Forest Service logging roads*
- Ungroomed (for snowboarding) sno parks
- Summer time canine pleasant mountain climbing trails which might be accessible and protected within the winter**
* A whole lot of Forest Service roads change into groomed and ungroomed snowmobile trails in winter. You and your canine can snowshoe right here however beware that some obtain a lot motorized visitors that it may be harmful, particularly on weekends. On the minimal, canine ought to all the time be stored on a leash the place snowmobiles are allowed.
** At all times verify avalanche circumstances earlier than you go. Taking, at a minimal, an avalanche consciousness coaching is very urged too.
Which Washington State Sno-Parks Enable Canines?
Some Washington State Sno-parks enable canine and a few don’t.
Canines ARE NOT allowed at these Sno-Parks:
- Hyak (Palouse to Cascades State Park Path)
- Erling Stordahl (Crystal Springs Sno-Park)
- Lake Easton State Park
- Cabin Creek north facet of I-90!
Canines ARE allowed at these Washington Sno-Parks (from west to east):
- Asahel Curtis (Denny Creek)
- Gold Creek
- Easton Reload
- Blewett Go
- Pipe Creek
- Swauk Campground
- Elk Heights
- Salmon La Sac
Please keep in mind these necessary guidelines when you take your canine to a Sno-Park.
- No canine or snowshoes on groomed tracks
- Don’t stroll on the groomed path
- Downhill skiers have the correct of means
- For security, your canine must be on leash
- Decide up and pack out your canine poop
For extra data, see Central Cascades Winter Recreation Council’s web page about canine at Sno-Parks.
Which Mountaineering Trails Can I Snowshoe With My Canine?
Most mountain climbing trails within the mountains flip right into a winter wonderland after late November or December.
Until the world is become a groomed Sno-Park, usually, canine are allowed on any of those trails.
Nevertheless, not all of them are appropriate for snowshoeing along with your canine.
Watch out for Security Dangers
In winter, the path circumstances can differ extensively.
If you hike in the summertime, for the publish half, the path floor and dangers don’t change. However they do within the winter.
Most notably, the potential for avalanche poses a excessive danger on some trails when snow is current.
For instance, the Snow Lake on Snoqualmie Go, and Granite Mountain Lookout close to North Bend, cross a high-risk avalanche chute in winter and are finest averted by all however essentially the most skillful mountaineers.
Lesser dangers are encountering timber and branches that fell throughout the path from the burden of snow and ice and collapsing snow bridges.
At all times familiarize your self with path circumstances earlier than you head out to snowshoe your favourite summer season mountain climbing path in winter.
The perfect locations to do that are to learn WTA journey reviews by wanting up your chosen path and verify the normal avalanche danger forecast (map) for the world.
What Are The Greatest Canine Pleasant Snowshoe Trails in Washington?
What makes the perfect path will likely be particular person to you and your canine primarily based on, for instance:
- Bodily health (keep in mind, snowshoeing is tougher than strolling, particularly when breaking path)
- The place you reside
- Your data about avalanches and your tolerance for danger
- What sort of snowshoes you have got (ex. all-terrain or supposed for groomed trails)
- What sort of surroundings you get pleasure from
Some simple, canine pleasant snowshoe trails in Washington are:
- Gold Creek Pond
- Franklin Falls
- Large 4 Ice Caves
- Lake Wenatchee State Park Snowshoe Loops (solely these trails)
- Salmon La Sac Campground
- Tumwater Pipeline Path
- Wenatchee Crest Snowshoe
- Swauk Forest Discovery Path Snowshoe
- Riverside State Park (Spokane) – Bowl and Pitcher Snowshoe
- Riser Lake Loop (Winthrop)
Some average and troublesome canine pleasant snowshoe trails are:
- Artist Level Snowshoe
- Skyline Lake Snowshoe
- Kendall Lakes Peak Snowshoe
- Teanaway Butte
- Hex Mountain
- Cooper River
- Bumping Lake Ski and Snowshoe Trails
- Mount Tahoma Trails Excessive Hut (canine should not allowed contained in the hut)
- Tieton Pond Snowshoe (Yakima)
The outline for all of those will be discovered on the Washington Trails Affiliation (WTA) web site.
Ultimate Ideas
The outside enjoyable doesn’t need to cease when the snow begins falling.
Snowshoeing is a superb winter exercise for you and your canine and there are a variety of locations in Washington the place you are able to do it along with your canine.
Sometimes, with the correct preparation, canine of any measurement can do it. Take a look at my suggestions for snowshoeing with a small canine.
There are many canine pleasant snowshoe trails near Seattle but in addition loads of alternatives additional exterior of town in order for you some solitude.
Simply decide one and go have enjoyable!
