Originally Posted: January 2022
Updated: January 2024

Nordic Pass Snowshoe Trek: Hyak Creek to Nordic Pass & back

Nordic Pass Ski Loop: Hyak Creek to Nordic Pass to Cold Creek

Hyak Lake
Hyak Flats
Nordic Pass
Windy Pass
Cold Creek Valley

Route Summary

Region: Central Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Iron Horse Mountains

Area: Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest

Starting & Ending Point: Snoqualmie Drive / Hyak Drive intersection (Elev. 2640 feet)

High Point: Nordic Pass (Elev. 4020 feet)

Typical Season: mid-December thru late April

Option 1: Nordic Pass Snowshoe Trek

Way Points: Snoqualmie Drive / Cascade Place intersection & Nordic Pass Trailhead (road walk); Little Hyak Creek & Hyak Creek & Lower Crossover Ski Trail & InterSummit-90 Ski Trail & Hyak Lake & Hyak Flats & Mill Creek Basin & Nordic Pass (snowshoe hike)

Approximate Stats (round trip): 8.0 miles traveled; 1700 feet gained & lost.

Option 2: Nordic Pass Ski Loop

Way Points: Snoqualmie Drive / Cascade Place intersection & Nordic Pass Trailhead (road walk); Little Hyak Creek & Hyak Creek & Lower Crossover Ski Trail & InterSummit-90 Ski Trail & Hyak Lake & Hyak Flats & Mill Creek Basin & Nordic Pass & Olallie Meadow Sno-Tel Station & Windy Pass & Cold Creek Valley & Mill Creek Bridge & Summit East Ski Area (ski tour); Snoqualmie Drive / Hyak Drive intersection (road walk)

Approximate Stats (full loop): 9.5 miles traveled; 1700 feet gained & lost.

Related Posts

>>> Surveyors Hill Snowshoe Trek / Ski Tour (detailed route description)

>>> Mt Catherine Snowshoe Climb via Nordic Pass Trail—West Ridge – April 15, 2017

>>> Mt Catherine Snowshoe Climb via Nordic Pass Trail—West Ridge – March 12, 2016

Information Sources

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

>>> 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

Nordic Pass is an under-appreciated wintertime destination in the Snoqualmie Pass area.  Skiers and snowshoers who have previously made the journey recognize it as a hidden backcountry gem surrounded by the busy snow resorts of Summit Central, Summit East, and Summit Nordic. The trek to Nordic Pass typically begins and ends at Hyak, near the Summit East Ski Area (originally called Pacific West Ski Area; later, Hyak Ski Area).  

Aside from being a worthy destination for backcountry skiers and snowshoers alike, Nordic Pass offers further rewards for both groups.  For skiers, it provides a golden opportunity to complete an excellent ski loop by returning to Hyak via Cold Creek Valley.  For snowshoers, it serves as a jump-off point from which to ascend Nordic Knob or Mt. Catherine.  Although snowshoers could also complete the full loop, the long march down Cold Creek Valley would be very tedious on snowshoes; consequently, it is far more preferable to simply retrace one’s up-route back to Hyak.

The Nordic Pass Ski Loop described below is a “hybrid loop” in the sense that it involves a combination of backcountry travel through undeveloped forest land and front-country travel on a well-graded (and often groomed) forest road.  Because very little of the terrain is subjected to any significant risk from avalanches, the trek can be done under a wide range of snow and weather conditions. 

The first half of the Nordic Pass Loop largely follows the Nordic Pass Trail, which is not so much a trail as it is a marked backcountry route that extends from the Hyak neighborhood up through Hyak Flats to Nordic Pass and then down to Windy Pass. This trail was established by a small group of volunteers in the late 1980s to provide skiers and snowshoers with a quasi-wilderness route tucked between the Summit Central and Summit East Ski Areas. Its creation was approved by the U.S. Forest Service, thereby ensuring long-term public access.

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The second half of the Nordic Pass Loop follows Cold Creek Road #9070 down through Cold Creek Valley and around to Hyak. This road is part of the Summit Nordic Center’s popular Mt. Catherine Loop and, as such, is typically groomed throughout the winter and early spring months. It should be noted that most of the groomed road is open to the public without charge (this is known as the “Common Corridor”); however, the last mile is part of the private ski trail network and requires a Summit Nordic ski ticket.

Skiers who have a Summit Nordic ski ticket are not affected by the aforementioned private trail restriction, nor are they encumbered by the ski area’s operating schedule. On the other hand, skiers who do not wish to purchase a ticket have three options:

• A. Complete the loop in early winter, before the ski area opens for the season (usually in late December or early January), or later in the springtime, after the ski area closes for the season (usually in late March or early April).
  
• B. Complete the loop on days when the ski area is closed. In recent years, the ski area has been open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, as well as some Fridays and some holiday weeks. Frankly, the schedule has seemed erratic, but there have been plenty of midweek skiing possibilities.

• C. Take a detour that bypasses the private part of the groomed road by using the Palouse To Cascades Trail (formerly called the John Wayne Trail). This bypass involves the hassle of a short boot descent through moderately steep forest, as well as a ½-mile walk on paved roads, but it does not add much total distance.

Parking Comments

Parking for skiers and snowshoers can usually be found in the overflow parking lot near the intersection of Hyak Drive and Snoqualmie Drive. This overflow lot is just north of the main Summit East Ski Area parking lot. No Washington State Sno-Park permit or other permit is required here, but it should be remembered that this overflow lot is owned by the ski area; as such, be respectful of ski area customers. If the overflow lot is full, try parking at the nearby Gold Creek Sno-Park on the other side of Interstate-90 (keeping in mind that a Washington State Sno-Park permit is needed there). Be warned that parking is strictly prohibited on the residential streets within the Hyak neighborhood.

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Route Description

From the intersection of Hyak Drive and Snoqualmie Drive, walk northwesterly up Snoqualmie Drive, staying right at the first fork and left at the second fork. In ¼ mile, where the road makes a tight hairpin turn back to the left, proceed straight ahead by climbing onto the snowbank. The Nordic Pass Trail officially begins at this point.

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On the opposite side of the snowbank, you will see Little Hyak Creek flowing through a narrow channel. The depth of this channel depends on the snowpack thickness, but the crossing can be a bit tricky under any conditions. Look around for a log or rocks to use, then carefully drop into the channel and climb back up the other side. Most years, this represents the most technically difficult part of the entire loop!

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Once across Little Hyak Creek, proceed through the forest in a northwesterly direction. Stay in open areas as best as possible and keep hunting for blue diamonds attached to tree trunks at sporadic intervals. These diamonds can be particularly difficult to see when the trees are coated with fresh snow. Happy hunting!

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After several hundred yards, look for directional diamonds guiding you to the left and into a long, narrow corridor through the trees. This corridor is actually part of an old railroad grade, used by trains travelling over Snoqualmie Pass before the historic railroad tunnel was built. Turn right and follow the corridor for about 75 yards, then look closely for blue diamonds directing you off to the left.

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After leaving the old railroad grade, zig-zag up through the forest in a generally westward direction. Soon, you will come to a narrow road (usually grooomed). This is the Lower Crossover ski trail that connects Summit East with Silver Fir Outpost. Look for blue diamonds across the road and keep going.

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Continue working up through the forest, passing numerous small glades and “meadow holes,” still heading in a westward direction. Eventually, you will reach Hyak Creek, which flows through a deep ravine. Proceed upward a short distance, parallel to the creek, until you arrive at a tree with several different kinds of trail markers. The Silver Fir Trail (marked with yellow circles) goes straight ahead and stays near Hyak Creek, whereas the Nordic Pass Trail (always marked with blue diamonds) turns sharply to the left.

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Blue diamonds will lead you on a long traverse to the south until encountering a switchback, designated by two blue diamonds placed sideways. Turn right and make a long, gently rising traverse back to the west. Just before reaching Hyak Creek again, a short, steep ascent takes you up to the InterSummit-90 ski trail, which runs along a row of wooden powerline poles.

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Cross diagonally to the right under the powerlines and look for a short passageway leading into dense forest. Go up through the passageway, making one switchback to the left, then continue southwesterly through milder terrain until arriving at a large clearing.

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By skirting the right-hand edge of the large clearing, you will come upon Hyak Lake, which really just looks like an even-larger clearing. You have now completed approximately half of the distance and two-thirds of the elevation gain to Nordic Pass, so this is a good chance to assess your progress.

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Turn left and curve around the southeastern edge of the lake, then head southward into the forest. Blue diamonds can be hard to find in here; if confused, look for a tall, silvered snag atop a small knoll to help you get back on track. This snag is a favorite haunt of woodpeckers!

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From the tall snag, proceed southward through dense forest, crossing two more ski trails along the way. After the second trail crossing, veer slightly to the right and continue into the rolling expanse of Hyak Flats. This area can be confusing due to the maze of cross-country ski trails. You will see a second set of powerlines—this time supported by steel lattice towers.

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Cross under the powerlines close to the uphill lattice tower and immediately cross over two ski trails (usually groomed) at an oblique southwesterly angle. If using a compass, stay on a bearing of 210 degrees from true north. Straight ahead, Nordic Pass can be seen as a low point in the ridge between Mt. Catherine on the left and Nordic Knob on the right.

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Enter a grove of young, tightly spaced trees and look for blue diamonds on trunks or dangling from tree limbs. The route follows a narrow corridor through the trees, then drops into a small clearing and crosses yet another ski trail (usually groomed).

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Skirt around the left side of the small clearing and ascend rightward into mature forest on the southern flank of Rockdale Knoll. With careful route-finding, you will come to a large tree with a “Nordic Pass Trail” sign and blue diamond attached to the trunk. This is the only trail sign before Nordic Pass, and it represents the two-thirds distance point of the trek.

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The Nordic Pass Trail contours around Rockdale Knoll, then curves left and begins a long southerly traverse through wonderful old-growth forest. The natural tendency on this traverse is to angle upward, but the correct route actually gains very little elevation over the next ½ mile. If you go for a long stretch without seeing any blue diamonds, you are probably too high.

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Eventually, you will see where the forest butts up against a steep, barren slope on the northern flank of Mt. Catherine. Approximately 100 yards before the forest ends, turn to the right and head more directly uphill, still traveling through old-growth trees. There are several blue diamonds and a few old red diamonds that mark this turn.

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The forest soon opens up and the gradient flattens out at 4020-foot Nordic Pass. Keep slightly to the right (northern) side of the pass and look for an isolated tree with a “Nordic Pass” sign nailed to it. This makes a satisfying destination for snowshoers doing an out-and-back trek, and a good lunch spot for skiers doing the full loop.

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If doing the full loop, start traversing over to the south (left) rather than descending directly westward from Nordic Pass. Along the way, you will pass the USDA/NRCS Olallie Meadows Sno-Tel Station, followed by a very old wooden sign marking the way to Windy Pass.

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A short distance past the sno-tel station, you will cut across the top of a steep slope with widely spaced trees. Competent skiers can enjoy a few dozen turns down this slope. If using lightweight cross-country gear, simply make a switch-backing descent.

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Near the bottom of the steep slope, look for the “twin towers”—a pair of very tall trees bearing a “Nordic Pass Trail” sign. Descending a bit further, you will arrive at Cold Creek Road (usually groomed), which marks the official end of the Nordic Pass Trail. Windy Pass is located a few dozen yards up to the right (north) on this road.

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Turn left (south) on Cold Creek Road and begin a long, gradual descent into Cold Creek Valley. You will pass through a posted avalanche-danger area, where avalanches have occurred during periods of extreme instability—perhaps once every decade or so. The road gradient is moderate for 2½ miles, then becomes more gentle as it wraps farther around to the east. After 4 miles of descending, the road crosses Mill Creek on a wide bridge, curves to the left, and completely flattens out.

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Shortly beyond the Mill Creek Bridge, Cold Creek Road passes an oddly shaped pumphouse. In another 75 yards, look for blue diamonds nailed to a tree on the right side of the road. These diamonds mark the upper end of a connector trail that drops down to the Palouse To Cascades Trail, which serves as the bypass route previously discussed.

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The main route stays on Cold Creek Road and continues due north for 1 mile, staying on a level course high above Lake Keechelus. If you don’t have fishscale-base skis for this road segment, you will wish you did. As a nice distraction, though, there are views of Dungeon Peak, Alta Mountain, and Chikamin Peak across the lake.

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After a level mile, the road crosses under a chair lift and spills onto a wide slope in the Summit East Ski Area. Point your skis downhill and aim for the gap between the two large condominium buildings below. At the bottom, conclude your successful Nordic Pass Loop by making a ¼-mile stroll back to the overflow parking lot.

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Equipment Comments

The Nordic Pass Snowshoe Trek can be done with either trail snowshoes or mountain snowshoes, although the latter will be advantageous for some of the steeper parts of the route. In either case, trekking poles are highly recommended.

The Nordic Pass Ski Loop is ideally suited to medium-width backcountry nordic touring skis that have a fishscale base, full metal edges, and sturdy 75-mm bindings or NNN-BC bindings, combined with compatible touring boots. Randonnee (alpine touring, or AT) skis, bindings, and boots can also be used, although such equipment will feel cumbersome on the flat portion of Cold Creek Road. In either case, full-length climbing skins are recommended for the ascent to Nordic Pass. Additionally, adjustable poles are very handy because they can be shortened for the ascent and can be lengthened for the kick-and-glide 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:

>>> Trail & Mountain Snowshoes

>>> Backcountry Nordic Ski Touring Gear

>>> Backcountry Ski & Snowshoe Packs

>>> Wintertime Comfort Accessories

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Route Maps & Profile

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Photo Gallery

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