Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
contact the
North Bend Ranger District,
42404 SE North Bend Way, North
Bend, WA 98045 (
&
425/888-1421;
www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs).
HORSEBACK RIDING
If you're interested in spending a few hours or a few
days in the saddle, contact
High Country Outfitters
(
&
888/235-0111
or 509/
674-4903; www.highcountry-outfitters.com), which charges about $90 for a day
ride. Overnight and multi-day trips also available.
MOUNTAIN BIKING Iron Horse State Park/John Wayne Pioneer Trail,
a railroad right-of-way that has been converted to a gravel path stretching more
than 110 miles, provides one of the most unusual mountain-biking routes in the
Northwest. The trail passes under Snoqualmie Pass by way of the 2
1
⁄
2
-mile-long
Snoqualmie Tunnel, which is usually open to bicycles from May through Octo-
ber. To ride the tunnel you'll need good lights, warm clothes, and rain gear
(water constantly drips from the ceiling of the tunnel). To access the trail from
the west side, take exit 38 off I-90. From the east side, take exit 62 off I-90.
SKIING
While much of the terrain is not very interesting and the snow can be
frustratingly unreliable due to winter rains,
The Summit at Snoqualmie Pass
(
&
425/434-7669,
or 206/236-1600 for snow conditions; www.summitat
snoqualmie.com) is the closest ski area to Seattle and consequently sees a lot of
business both on weekends and for after-work night skiing. There are 22 lifts and
65 ski runs here, and the past couple of years have seen more than $10 million
worth of improvements. Rentals and lessons are available. Adult lift ticket prices
range from $27 for night skiing to $42 for a weekend all-day pass. Call for hours
of operation.
At Snoqualmie Pass, there are many miles of both groomed and ungroomed
cross-country ski trails.
Summit Nordic Center
(
&
425/434-7669
or 425/
434-6708; www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/winter/nordic.html) offers rentals,
instruction, and many miles of groomed trails, some of which are lighted for
night skiing. Trail fees run $8 to $12.
There are also several sno-parks along I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass. Some of these
have groomed trails while others have trails that are marked but not groomed.
Sno-Park permits
($8-$9 for a 1-day pass; $20-$21 season pass) are required
for parking at these areas and are available at ski shops. If you plan to ski on
groomed trails, you'll have to pay an additional fee for your Sno-Park permit.
In winter,
Bee Line Tours
(
&
800/959-8387
or 206/632-5162; www.beeline
tours.com) provides bus service from Seattle area hotels to the Summit at Sno-
qualmie ski area. Round-trip fare is $35.
WHERE TO STAY
ON THE WEST SIDE
Salish Lodge and Spa
Set at the top of 270-foot Snoqualmie Falls
and only 35 minutes east of Seattle on I-90, Salish Lodge is a popular weekend
getaway spot for Seattle residents. With its country-lodge atmosphere, the Sal-
ish aims for casual comfort and hits the mark, though the emphasis is clearly on
luxury. Guest rooms, which are designed for romantic weekend getaways, have
fireplaces and whirlpool baths, feather beds, and down comforters. To make this
an even more attractive getaway, there's a full-service spa. The lodge's country
breakfast is a legendary feast that will likely keep you full right through to din-
ner. By the way, if you were a fan of the TV show
Twin Peaks,
you'll immedi-
ately recognize this hotel.
6501 Railroad Ave. SE (P.O. Box 1109), Snoqualmie, WA 98065.
&
800/272-5474
or 425/888-2556. Fax 425/
888-2533. www.salishlodge.com. 91 units. $229-$419 double; $599-$699 suite (all rates plus $15 resort
