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 canines for over 10 years and have traveled throughout Washington State to do it.
Should you’ve by no means completed it earlier than, there are a number of causes to start out snowshoeing along with your canine.
I counsel taking a newbie snowshoe class from the Mountaineers or happening a guided snowshoe tour with REI.
Whereas canines will not be allowed to attend these courses and excursions, you may go be taught the talents after which take your canine with you if you really feel assured sufficient to go by yourself.
Whether or not you’re in search of a canine pleasant snowshoe path close to Seattle, or you might be 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 fashionable 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 permit canines.
Groomed cross nation ski trails typically don’t permit snowshoes or canines as a result of they’ll mess up the groomed floor.
You even have to contemplate avalanche hazard. Many summer time trails can develop into dying traps in winter.
Typically although, you and your canine are welcome:
- On any Forest Service logging roads*
- Ungroomed (for snowboarding) sno parks
- Summer season canine pleasant mountain climbing trails which might be accessible and protected within the winter**
* Numerous Forest Service roads develop into groomed and ungroomed snowmobile trails in winter. You and your canine can snowshoe right here however beware that some obtain a lot motorized site visitors that it may be harmful, particularly on weekends. On the minimal, canines ought to all the time be saved on a leash the place snowmobiles are allowed.
** At all times examine avalanche situations earlier than you go. Taking, at a minimal, an avalanche consciousness coaching is very prompt too.
Which Washington State Sno-Parks Permit Canine?
Some Washington State Sno-parks permit canines and a few don’t.
Canine 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 aspect of I-90!
Canine ARE allowed at these Washington Sno-Parks (from west to east):
- Asahel Curtis (Denny Creek)
- Gold Creek
- Easton Reload
- Blewett Cross
- Pipe Creek
- Swauk Campground
- Elk Heights
- Salmon La Sac
Please keep in mind these essential guidelines should you take your canine to a Sno-Park.
- No canines or snowshoes on groomed tracks
- Don’t stroll on the groomed path
- Downhill skiers have the precise of means
- For security, your canine needs to be on leash
- Decide up and pack out your canine poop
For extra data, see Central Cascades Winter Recreation Council’s web page about canines at Sno-Parks.
Which Mountain climbing 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 was a groomed Sno-Park, typically, canines are allowed on any of those trails.
Nonetheless, not all of them are appropriate for snowshoeing along with your canine.
Watch out for Security Dangers
In winter, the path situations can differ extensively.
Whenever 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 Cross, and Granite Mountain Lookout close to North Bend, cross a high-risk avalanche chute in winter and are finest prevented by all however essentially the most skillful mountaineers.
Lesser dangers are encountering bushes and branches that fell throughout the path from the load of snow and ice and collapsing snow bridges.
At all times familiarize your self with path situations earlier than you head out to snowshoe your favourite summer time mountain climbing path in winter.
The perfect locations to do that are to learn WTA journey reviews by trying up your chosen path and examine the normal avalanche danger forecast (map) for the world.
What Are The Greatest Canine Pleasant Snowshoe Trails in Washington?
What makes the most effective path shall 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 information about avalanches and your tolerance for danger
- What sort of snowshoes you’ve (ex. all-terrain or meant 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
- Huge 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 tough 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 (canines will not be allowed contained in the hut)
- Tieton Pond Snowshoe (Yakima)
The outline for all of those might be discovered on the Washington Trails Affiliation (WTA) web site.
Remaining Ideas
The outside enjoyable doesn’t must 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 precise preparation, canines of any dimension 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 additionally loads of alternatives additional outdoors of town if you would like some solitude.
Simply choose one and go have enjoyable!
