Ski or Snowshoe to Pineapple Pass

North Bend, Washington

3.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Details

Distance

4.5 miles

Elevation Gain

2000 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by James Brady

A relatively modest route into the Snoqulamie Pass backcountry region that is great for beginner or intermediate backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.

Skiers or snowshoers looking to explore this route should park in the uppermost parking area at the Alpental ski area. This lot is past the main parking lot for the ski area. After getting your gear on, you can proceed down the groomed access run heading northwest out of the parking area. This run services some of the Alpental off-piste terrain but also serves as an access route to get to some of the best backcountry areas in the Snoqualmie Pass area. 

You can follow this groomed trail to the end or you may choose to leave it earlier if you see an established skin or snowshoe track that looks promising. Either way, you will eventually end up on a skin track which will run northeast for approximately a half mile and along the east side of the creek. From there, the route to Pineapple Pass will begin to head to the south and climb towards the pass. Before long, you should have a view up towards Pineapple Pass and the adjacent peak known as The Tooth. From that point on, it is essentially a straight shot up to the pass, however you should continue to proceed with caution because the slopes just beneath the pass are the steepest slopes on the entire route. Your descent route should closely follow your ascent route because venturing too far to the skier or snowshoer's left will cause you to eventually be cutoff by the creek or possibly even a waterfall. Additionally, it is helpful to stay further to the right if you are a skier because you will remain on downhill terrain longer and will have a shorter skin back to your car. 

As always, please proceed with extreme caution when traveling in the backcountry during the winter. Knowledge of backcountry travel techniques, avalanche awareness, and route finding are critical.  Please check the avalanche forecast before venturing out into this area and be sure to travel with an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe and understand how to use them. 

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography
Skiing
Snowshoeing
Easy Parking
Scenic
Waterfalls

Ski or Snowshoe to Pineapple Pass Reviews

the upper area of this route is fun but very short. most of the trek is very low angle through the timber. Once you break above the trees you access the better terrain but be aware that avalanche danger gets extreme near the end of the valley. Do not underestimate the danger, even though it is so near the ski area. This area is not patrolled and not bombed. There have been extreme slab avalanches here especially on the opposing side of the valley which can cover the entire basin floor.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Snowshoe to Source & Snow Lakes via the Alpental Access Trail

Snow Lake

Gem Lake, WA

Climb the South Face of The Tooth

Gem Lake and Wright Mountain

Winter Camping at Snow Lake