Originally Posted: January 2022
Updated: January 2024

Amabilis Mountain Ski Loop:  South Ridge to North Ridge

Cabin Creek Nordic Area
Amabilis “Y”
Amabilis Mountain: south summit aka Amabilis Beacon (4554 ft)
Amabilis Viewpoint
Amabilis Mountain: true summit aka Amabilis Peak (4560+ ft)
Amabilis Warming Hut

Route Summary

Region: Central Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Keechelus Mountains

Area: Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest

Starting & Ending Point: Cabin Creek nordic ski area trailhead off Interstate-90 at Exit 63 (Elev. 2450 feet)

Way Points: Lower Amabilis Mountain Road junction & Toll Creek culvert & Amabilis “Y” & Cedar Creek culvert & South Hairpin & South Fork Road terminus & North Fork Road terminus & Amabilis Peak Road junction & North Hairpin & Amabilis Warming Hut & Amabilis “Y” (ski tour)

High Point: South Summit / Amabilis Beacon (Elev. 4550 feet)

Optional Sidetrip 1: Amabilis Viewpoint

Optional Sidetrip 2: Amabilis Peak

Approximate Stats (excluding sidetrips): 11 miles traveled; 2100 feet gained & lost.

Typical Season: early December thru late April

Information Sources

The following links provide helpful information for planning this ski tour. Even these information sources, however, should not be taken as a substitute for having the fitness, knowledge, equipment, and clothing required for ski touring.

>>> Kongsberger Ski Club grooming report for Amabilis Mountain nordic trails

>>> Nordic Pulse grooming report for Amabilis Mountain nordic trails

>>> WSDOT road reports for Interstate-90 and Snoqualmie Pass

>>> National Weather Service weather forecast for Snoqualmie Pass area

>>> Northwest Avalanche Center avalanche forecast for Snoqualmie Pass area

>>> Other easy to intermediate ski tours in the I-90 / Snoqualmie Pass corridor

Route Overview

The Amabilis Mountain Ski Loop is a popular winter/spring trek in the Keechelus Mountains closely east of Snoqualmie Pass. This “lollipop loop” begins and ends at the Cabin Creek nordic ski area, and it travels over a combination of groomed and ungroomed cross-country ski trails. Please note that dogs are not allowed on any of the ski trails.

The prime-time window for doing the Amabilis Mountain Ski Loop varies somewhat from year to year, but you will typically enjoy well-groomed snow from mid-December through mid-April. Even before the grooming season starts and after it ends, you can often find adequate snow cover for good skiing. As extreme examples, I have skied the loop as early as November 7 (in 2022) and as late as May 14 (in 2011).

As a bit of trivia, the word “Amabilis” (pronounced a-MAH-bil-is) comes from the Latin term abies amabilis, which is the scientific name for the Pacific silver fir tree. These trees are prevalent throughout the western and central slopes of the Cascade Range, including Amabilis Mountain.

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Parking Comments

Parking can be found at Cabin Creek Sno-Park, located on the south side of Interstate-90 at Exit 63. A Washington State Sno-Park permit with a “special groomed-area sticker” is required here. Also, be aware that this parking lot fills up quickly on weekends and holidays, so it is advisable to arrive early (before 9:00am) or later (after 2:00pm) during high season. To reach the starting point for the ski tour, simply walk across the freeway overpass.

Route Descriptions

Detailed route descriptions for the full loop, the viewpoint sidetrip, and the summit sidetrip are presented in the following sections.

Full Amabilis Mountain Loop

From the start of the main ski road in the Cabin Creek Nordic Area, proceed straight ahead for a short ¼ mile, then turn uphill to the right on Amabilis Mountain Road #4822. This uphill road is well-marked and usually well-groomed. It climbs steadily via three switchbacks, followed by a long southerly traverse.

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After 2½ miles of travel and 950 feet of gain, you will reach an obvious fork in the road. This fork is called the Amabilis “Y” and it represents the closure point of the actual loop. The left (north) fork is typically groomed, whereas the right (south) fork is typically not. Although the loop can be completed in either direction, I usually prefer to continue uphill on the right (south) fork according to the following description. Be prepared for a wide variety of possible snow conditions, ranging from icy crust to firm corn to deep powder.

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On a clear day at the “Y,” you can look straight across the Interstate-90 corridor to Stampede Pass. Over to the right, you might see Tinkham Peak, Silver Peak, Mt. Catherine, and Granite Mountain rising above Keechelus Lake, although this view is better from a bit farther up the road.

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In about 1 mile from the “Y,” the road makes a wide curve around a steep hillside that is frequently exposed to cold easterly winds. I call this “Windy Corner.” In another ½ mile, you will reach the “South Hairpin,” which marks the southernmost extent of the loop. Up to now, the road has been on a generally southward traverse, but at this hairpin, the road turns sharply to the left and begins a long northward traverse.

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After 2½ miles and 1150 feet of steady ascent from the “Y,” the south-fork road ends at a large clearing on the broad, gentle, south summit of Amabilis Mountain. This summit is called “Amabilis Beacon” because there was previously a radio beacon located on a small hump 150 yards to the southeast. The former beacon location is easily reached by a 3-minute ski through open forest, and it makes a good lunch spot on a sunny day.

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To continue around the loop, return to the large clearing at the south-fork road terminus, then head northward into the old-growth forest and follow blue diamonds along a narrow corridor for about 100 yards. This marked corridor descends a bit, then climbs a few feet at the end.

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You will soon pop out of the forest and onto another ski road that cuts through a broad saddle between Amabilis Beacon and Amabilis Peak. This road is actually the terminus of the left-hand (north) road fork that you saw at the Amabilis “Y.” If visibility allows, the summit of Amabilis Peak can be seen ¼ mile to the north.

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From the north-fork road terminus, it’s all downhill. This road is usually groomed, so you will likely be able to enjoy a fast glide down the ridge, making numerous twists and turns but still generally heading northward. In approximately 1½ miles, the road makes a sharp left-hand turn at the “North Hairpin,” which marks the northernmost extent of the loop. From here, it begins traversing back to the south.

Farther down the road, you will pass the Amabilis Mountain warming hut. This handsome little hut was constructed by the Kongsberger Ski Club, with help from the Washington Ski Touring Club, and is a nice refuge on a stormy day.

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Continuing on, you will soon arrive at the Amabilis “Y,” thereby closing your loop. From here, more twists and turns take you back down to your starting point in the Cabin Creek Nordic Area. The total loop, excluding any sidetrips, is approximately 11 miles with 2100 feet of elevation gain.

Amabilis Viewpoint Sidetrip

For a short, easy, and worthwhile sidetrip to Amabilis Viewpoint, look for an obvious road branching off to the right about 200 yards after you begin your descent on the north fork road. Follow this spur road (usually groomed) as it curves to the left past an ungroomed secondary spur road on the right and, after 200 yards, abruptly ends at a marvelous viewpoint. On a clear day, you will be greeted by the rugged Snoqualmie Mountains, extending from Kaleetan Peak and Chair Peak on the far left to Mt. Hinman and Mt. Daniel on the far right. The incredibly jagged horns of Lemah Mountain and Chimney Rock stand in the middle of this northern skyline. Ice-covered Little Kachess Lake can be seen just over the top of a nearby ridge.

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Amabilis Peak Sidetrip

For a slightly longer and more adventurous sidetrip, head to the summit of Amabilis Peak—the highest point of Amabilis Mountain. Start at the above-mentioned ungroomed secondary spur road that branches off from the viewpoint road, and follow this spur road as it curves to the left and ends in about 25 yards. Continue straight ahead into young forest, always heading uphill. The last part before the summit is quite steep, so you might want to ditch your skis and simply boot up the final pitch. On top, you will be rewarded with views of the rugged Snoqualmie Mountains to the north, the rounded Kachess Mountains to the east, and the dark blue water of Kachess Lake directly below.

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Equipment Comments

Under favorable snow conditions, the Amabilis Mountain Ski Loop can be readily done on standard cross-country ski gear and even skate-skiing gear. Under difficult conditions, however, such gear will seem less than adequate. Having completed the loop approximately 100 times over a span of 15 years, I’ve experienced the full gamut of trail conditions, ranging from well-groomed “corduroy” to completely ungroomed “backcountry” snow.

My preferred all-purpose cross-country ski has a full metal edge, a fishscale base, and a width between 60mm and 65mm. This cross-country/backcountry (XC/BC) hybrid nordic ski will fit in the grooves of a groomed ski track but is also capable of handling everything from hard crust to deep powder. I mate these skis with NNN-BC boots and bindings, which provide more control and robustness. In addition, I carry short “kicker skins” for skiing uphill on icy snow. I also use an adjustable ski pole, which can be shortened for the ascent and lengthened for the descent.

For more information regarding the various equipment that I use for this particular trip and that I typically use for other trips of this type, see my gear discussions and reviews on the following pages:

>>> XC/BC Hybrid Nordic Ski Touring Gear

>>> Wintertime Comfort Accessories

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Route Maps & Profile

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Photo Gallery

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