Posted: March 11, 2024

First Kendall Ridge Ski Tour / Snowshoe Trek

First Kendall Ridge Saddle
First Kendall Knob aka South Kendall Knob
Kendall Peak Lakes

Route Description Summary

Region: Central Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Snoqualmie Range

Area: Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest

Starting & Ending Point: North Gold Creek Sno-Park at beginning of Road #4832 off Interstate-90 at Exit 54 (Elev. 2600 feet)

Option 1: First Kendall Knob

Way Points: Coal Creek Bridge & Second Kendall Knob Road junction & First Kendall Ridge Saddle & First Kendall Knob (ski tour or snowshoe hike)

High Point: First Kendall Knob (Elev. 4300 feet)

Approximate Stats: 7.1 miles traveled; 1700 feet gained & lost.

Option 2: Kendall Peak Lakes

Way Points: Coal Creek Bridge & Second Kendall Knob Road junction & First Kendall Ridge Saddle & Lower Kendall Peak Lake & Middle Kendall Peak Lake (ski tour or snowshoe hike)

High Point: Middle Kendall Peak Lake (Elev. 4440 feet)

Approximate Stats: 8.3 miles traveled; 1950 feet gained & lost.

Information Sources

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

>>> 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

>>> Other easy to intermediate snowshoe treks in the I-90 / Snoqualmie Pass corridor

Route Overview

First Kendall Ridge is one of the most popular areas for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing in the Snoqualmie Pass vicinity. This is no surprise, considering that the ascent route begins at a very convenient parking location and follows a well-graded forest road (Coal Creek Road 9090/2235) that is suitable for people with a broad range of winter experience. Novices can have a satisfying ski tour or snowshoe trek without even reaching the ridge crest, whereas experienced skiers and snowshoers will find that the ridge crest provides access to several interesting destinations.

Weather and snow conditions may dictate the choice of a specific destination. On a clear day, First Kendall Knob (sometimes called Kendall Knob #1 or South Kendall Knob or Lower Kendall Knob) offers a fine vantage point at the southwestern end of the ridge. This 4300-foot knob overlooks the Snoqualmie Pass ski areas and provides good views of the surrounding mountains. On a stormy day, Kendall Peak Lakes offer a worthwhile destination with better protection from winds. There are also some skiable open slopes below the knob and above the lakes, but these are suitable only when the snow is very stable.

Because First Kendall Ridge is so popular, the lower part of Coal Creek Road tends to get thoroughly packed down by skiers, snowshoers, and walkers (yes, there are plenty of people who simply boot up the roadway). During and after a busy weekend, the snow can become a slippery hardscape or a rutted mess. In such conditions, snowshoeing the road can be more enjoyable than trying to descend it on skis. A ski tour is best done after a significant snowfall has completely blanketed the road surface.

Parking Comments

The skiing and snowshoeing route to First Kendall Ridge begins and ends at North Gold Creek Sno-Park, which is located on the westbound side of Interstate-90 across from the Summit East (Hyak) Ski Area. To access this sno-park, take Exit 54 and drive northeastward a few hundred yards until the road curves sharply to the right. You will see a trailhead kiosk and several porta-johns at this curve, in addition to lots of cars and trucks parked alongside the roadway. It behooves you to arrive early on weekends and holidays. Find a parking spot that does not block traffic, and be sure to stay out of the designated freeway interchange area. Also, be aware that a Washington State Sno-Park permit is required to park here.

Full Route Description

The following three subsections describe (1) the shared route from North Gold Creek Sno-Park to the First Kendall Ridge Saddle, (2) the continuation route to First Kendall Knob, and (3) the continuation route to Kendall Peak Lakes.

Sno-Park to Ridge Saddle

Starting at North Gold Creek Sno-Park, proceed northeastward on Coal Creek Road and immediately cross Coal Creek on a wide concrete bridge. The backfill soil at the far end of this bridge was washed out by floodwater many years ago, leaving a large gap between the bridge abutment and the roadway surface. Fortunately, there is a narrow isthmus of solid ground that connects the bridge to the roadway. Take great care when crossing this isthmus, and find some comfort in knowing you’ve just completed the most unnerving part of the entire ascent!

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Continue skiing or snowshoeing along Coal Creek Road as it passes through the flat lowlands and then makes a rising traverse across the left (western) flank of First Kendall Ridge at a moderate gradient. In 1½ miles, the road switches back to the right and swings around the nose of the ridge. Mature second-growth evergreen trees lining both sides of this abandoned road give it a very picturesque look, especially after a snowstorm.

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An oblique four-way road junction is reached at a point approximately 2½ miles from the sno-park. One road veers to the left and descends into upper Coal Creek Valley, then switchbacks up toward Second Kendall Knob, which is visible to the north. Another road makes a sharp turn back to the right and begins traversing to the south. A third road veers to the right and continues traversing uphill in a more northeasterly direction. Take this latter road.

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After traversing northward for ⅓ mile, the road switches back to the right and traverses southward for another ⅓ mile before arriving at a broad, open saddle on the ridge crest. This saddle represents a decision point for skiers and snowshoers. First Kendall Knob is located to the right, whereas Kendall Peak Lakes are located to the left.

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Ridge Saddle to First Kendall Knob

If your destination is First Kendall Knob, proceed in a southwesterly direction from the saddle until a vague corridor appears in the trees. Follow this corridor, which is actually an overgrown spur road. Don’t be frightened by the dozens of zombie trees standing guard along both sides of the road; they eat snowboarders but have little interest in skiers and snowshoers.

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The overgrown spur road ends at a small clearing atop 4300-foot First Kendall Knob, which provides a marvelous lunch spot on a clear day. From here, you can see Summit Central Ski Area directly across Interstate-90, with Summit West Ski Area visible to the right and Keechelus Lake visible to the left. The open slopes below this knob can be descended to intersect Coal Creek Road, but these slopes are often heavily wind-packed; make a careful assessment of snow stability before heading down.

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Ridge Saddle to Kendall Peak Lakes

If your destination is Kendall Peak Lakes, proceed in a northerly direction from the ridge saddle, following an obvious road through the trees. This road traverses along the left (western) side of the crest for ½ mile, dropping a bit and then making a right-hand curve back to the crest. Near the apex of this curve, leave the road and travel northward across a clear-cut slope, aiming for a cluster of trees. Lower Kendall Peak Lake is situated in this tree cluster at 4400 feet, and Middle Kendall Peak Lake is located 50 feet higher to the north. Upper Kendall Peak Lake, the largest of the three, sits in a bowl 300 feet higher to the northeast, but the steep hillslope leading to this lake makes it suitable only for very experienced mountain travelers.

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Route Map & Profiles

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