Originally Posted: February 2024
Updated: December 2024
Cole Creek Pond Ski Tour / Snowshoe Trek
Cole Valley Overlook Ski Tour / Snowshoe Trek
Cabin Creek Valley
Cole Creek Valley
Cole Creek Pond
Cole Valley Overlook
Route Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Kittitas Mountains
Areas: Yakima River Wildlife Area & Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources land & private lands
Starting & Ending Point: Easton Reload Sno-Park at plowed end of Cabin Creek Road #41 (Elev. 2300 feet)
Option 1: Cole Creek Pond
Way Points: Cabin Creek Road Viewpoint & Cole Creek Bridge & Cole Creek Road junction & Goat Peak Road / Cole Butte Road junction & Cole Creek culvert & Goat Peak Road fork & Cole Creek Pond (ski tour or snowshoe hike)
High Point: Cole Creek Pond (Elev. 4040 feet)
Approximate Stats (round trip): 8.6 miles round trip; 2100 feet gained & lost.
Option 2: Cole Valley Overlook
Way Points: Cabin Creek Road Viewpoint & Cole Creek Bridge & Cole Creek Road junction & Goat Peak Road / Cole Butte Road junction & Cole Creek culvert & Goat Peak Road fork & Cole Valley Overlook (ski tour or snowshoe hike)
High Point: Cole Valley Overlook (Elev. 4600 feet)
Approximate Stats (round trip): 10.6 miles round trip; 2650 feet gained & lost.
Related Posts
>>> Other easy to intermediate ski tours in the I-90 / Snoqualmie Pass corridor
>>> Other easy to intermediate snowshoe treks in the I-90 / Snoqualmie Pass corridor
Route Overview
Cole Creek Pond is my provisional name for a small lake positioned on the western flank of Cole Butte Benchmark in the Kittitas Mountains. It occupies a wooded bench at an elevation of 4040 feet within the Cole Creek Valley. Cole Valley Overlook is a 4600-foot-high viewpoint on the western flank of nearby Goat Peak. It offers a fine view of the Interstate-90 corridor between Snoqualmie Pass and Easton. Despite being relatively unknown and possibly unimpressive as summertime destinations, both of these locations are worthy wintertime destinations for backcountry skiers and snowshoers.
The skiing or snowshoeing routes to Cole Creek Pond and Cole Valley Overlook begin at Easton Reload Sno-Park on Cabin Creek Road #41, closely south of Interstate-90. As such, a Washington State Sno-Park permit is required. Both routes follow a series of forest roads, which are heavily traveled by snowmobiles for the first 3 miles. Thankfully, the last part of each road tends to get very little snowmobile traffic. Nonetheless, I strongly recommend that skiers and snowshoers avoid weekends and holidays in order to minimize encounters with snowmobiles.
Full Route Description
The following three subsections describe (1) the shared route from Easton Reload Sno-Park to the Goat Peak Road fork, (2) the continuation route to Cole Creek Pond, and (3) the continuation route to Cole Valley Overlook.
Sno-Park to Goat Peak Road Fork
From Easton Reload Sno-Park, start skiing or snowshoeing southward on Cabin Creek Road. This road is very wide, fairly flat, and regularly groomed throughout the winter. In the first mile, it makes a gradual ascent over a low hump that overlooks Cabin Creek, with Cole Butte visible farther up-valley.
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After crossing over the low hump, Cabin Creek Road descends a short distance to a partially collapsed wooden bridge spanning Cole Creek (1.3 miles + 200 feet from sno-park). Immediately beyond this bridge, turn left on Cole Creek Road #4100-140 and begin ascending into the Cole Creek Valley.
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Cole Creek Road initially makes a steep climb through deep forest and then eases back a bit as it proceeds in a southerly direction, passing two spur roads along the way. Weekend snowmobile traffic keeps the snow pretty well packed down, but you might encounter annoying “washboard” sections. Occasional gaps in the trees offer views of Goat Peak and Cole Butte Benchmark over to the east.
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After a steady ascent of 2 miles from the Cole Creek Bridge, you will arrive at an unmarked fork in the road (3.2 miles + 1400 feet from sno-park). The right-hand fork (Cole Butte Road) continues uphill to expansive open slopes, which are a favorite haunt of snowmobilers. The left-hand fork (Goat Peak Road) leads to Cole Creek Pond and Cole Valley Overlook. Take the left fork here.
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Goat Peak Road descends several hundred yards to a culvert crossing of upper Cole Creek, then it re-ascends a short distance to reach another unmarked fork. This fork represents a decision point for skiers and snowshoers. If your destination is Cole Creek Pond, take the right-hand (uphill) fork. If your destination is Cole Valley Overlook, take the left-hand (downhill) fork.
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Goat Peak Road Fork to Cole Creek Pond
The road to Cole Creek Pond gains elevation steadily as it switchbacks upward through pleasant second-growth forest. It bears generally eastward for the first ¼ mile, then turns southward and continues climbing at a moderate gradient.
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After an additional ⅔ mile, the road tops out on a gently sloping bench with delightfully open terrain (4.3 miles + 2050 feet from sno-park). Through the trees to your left is Cole Creek Pond, which sits at the base of an impressive triangular cliff. Through the trees to your right is a striking view of Cole Butte across Cole Creek Valley. Your only decision now is where to eat lunch; do you want a valley view or a lake view?
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Goat Peak Road Fork to Cole Valley Overlook
The road to Cole Valley Overlook begins with a gently rising traverse across the forested hillslope above Cole Creek, winding through pleasant second-growth forest. Then, after a mile of traversing, it starts switchbacking out of the valley, steadily gaining elevation on the western flank of Goat Peak.
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Eventually, the road cuts across a not-so-old clearcut slope that has now become reforested with young, closely spaced trees. Upon reaching a wall of tall trees at the southern edge of the clearcut, the road makes one last switchback and traverses up to Cole Valley Overlook (5.3 miles + 2500 feet from sno-park). On a clear day, you can see the jagged Snoqualmie Mountains rising above Kachess Lake.
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Route Maps & Profiles
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