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Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Snowsports
Mount Adams is the major winter sports center for northern Oregon and southern Washington. The area offers cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, even the dread snowmobile. There are three sno-park winter recreation areas within Mt. Adams: Pine Side, Butte and Atkisson.Access to Mt. Adams winter recreation areas is via Highway 141 north, off of Highway 14 in Bingen, Washington. To reach Pine Side and Smith Butte Sno-Parks, follow the"Mt. Adams Recreation Area" sign (right turn as you enter Trout Lake). To reach Atkisson Sno-Park, follow Highway 141 past the Ranger Station approximately five miles. The Sno-Park entrance is on the south side of the road, just within the Forest boundary.
Ski Trails
There are approximately 27 miles of signed ski trails on the Mt. Adams Ranger District. They vary in length and difficulty and have each been assigned a "Difficulty Rating." Criteria used in assigning these ratings include: length, grade and difficulty of access. Here's some details. . .
Atkisson Sno-Park Ski Trail
Ice Caves Loop Use and Difficulty Level: Skiing and Snowshoeing Volume of use: Low Length: 3.7 5 miles round-trip. Elevation: High - 2940' Low - 2685' Maps: Guler Mtn. and Little Huckleberry quadrangle -maps Access: State Route 14 to State Route 141 to Forest Road 24 to Atkisson Sno-Park Nearby Town: Trout Lake Trail Head: Atkisson Sno-Park Comments: Relatively flat terrain. Good warm-up and workout loop.
Natural Bridges Loop (Road 24/041) Use and Difficulty Level: Skiing and Snowshoeing Volume of use: Low Length: 3 miles (plus 1.75 miles each way via the Ice Cave Loop) = 6.5 miles round-trip Elevation: High-3,100' Low-3,000 Maps: Little Huckleberry Quadrangle Map Access: State Route 14 to State Route 141 to Forest Road 24 to Atkisson Sno-Park Nearby Town: Trout Lake Trailhead.- Atkisson Sno-Park Comments: This marked trail follows roads and trails to a collapsed lava tube with natural bridges. Stay well away from the edge of the collapsed tube, especially when icy.
Peterson Ridge Trail: Road 2420 Use and Difficulty Level: Skiing and Snowshoeing Volume of use: Low Length 6.5 miles (plus 2.25 miles each way to access it via the Ice Caves Loop) 11 miles round-trip. Elevation: High-3600 Low-2680 Maps: Guler Mtn. and Little Huckleberry quadrangle maps Access: State Route 14 to State Route 141 to Forest Road 24 Atkisson Sno-Park Nearby Town: Trout Lake Trailhead: Atkisson Sno-Park Scenic Attractions and Considerations: Climbs a marked snow-covered road to an overlook. At one point you will skiing among beaver ponds. Views include scenes of Mt. Hood and Heaven Wilderness. Good chance of seeing elk.
Pine Side & Smith Butte Sno-Parks
Eagle Loop: Road 82/070 Use and Difficulty Level: Skiing and Snowshoeing Volume of use: Low Length: 3.0 miles round-trip. Elevations: High-2800 Low-2680 Maps: King Mtn. Quadrangle Map Access: State Route 14 to State Route 141 to County Road 17 to Forest Road 82 to Pine Side no-Park. Nearby. Town: Trout Lake Scenic Attractions and Considerations: Trail is marked, groomed, and mostly on roads. It provides a fun, short loop. Be sure to travel in a clockwise direction. The trail crosses Forest Road 82 (use caution when crossing road).
Big Tree Loop: Road 82/041 Use and Difficulty Level: Siding and Snowshoeing Volume of use: Medium Length: 4.8 miles round-trip. Elevations: High-2800 Low- 2560 Maps: Trout Lake quadrangle map Access: State Route 14 to State Route 141 to County Road 17 to Forest Road 82 to Pine Side Sno-Park. Nearby Town: Trout Lake Trailhead.- Pine side Sno-Park Scenic Attractions and Considerations: Trail is marked, mostly on roads. Groomed for diagonal stride siding. Excellent view of Mt. Adams, old-growth pine.
Lava Loop Use and Difficulty Level: Skiing and Snowshoeing Volume of use: Low Length: 6.2 miles round-trip (accessed via Roads 82/101 [Most Difficult], 3.2 miles round-trip (accessed via Pine Side Sno-Park [More Difficult]. Elevations: High-3240 Low-3160 Maps: King Mtn. quadrangle map Access: State Route 14 to State Route 141 to County Road 17 to Forest Road 82 to Pine Side Sno-Park. Nearby Town: Trout Lake Trailhead.- Pine Side Sno-Park Scenic Attractions and Considerations: More ups and downs add challenge to this forested trail.
Pipeline Loop Use and Difficulty Level: Skiing and Snowshoeing Volume of use: Low Length: Accessed via 82/101 Road - 7.7 miles round-trip. Accessed via Pine Side Sno-Park 7.9 miles round-trip. Elevations: High- 3800 Low-3240 Maps: King Mtn. quadrangle map Access: State Route 14 to State Route 141 to County Road 17 to Forest Road 82 to Pineside Sno-Park. Nearby Town: Trout Lake Trailhead: Pine Side Sno-Park or Road 82/100 junction. Scenic Attractions and Considerations: Steep, this trail is a good workout and a thrilling ride down.
Incidentals
Peterson Prairie Cabin Rental: The Mt. Adams Ranger District is offering the rental of the old Peterson Prairie Guard Station on a Special Use Permit. The fee is $35 per night for 2 adults with a $5 additional charge for each adult up to a 6 maximum party size. Please call the District.
Sno-Park Permits: Washington Sno-Park permits are required for all Washington vehicles using Washington Sno-Parks. Permits are available at Little Mountain Hardware, Trout Lake Grocery, and the Mt. Adams Ranger Stationall in Trout Lake. Vehicles without the appropriate Sno-Park permits are subject to notice of violation and fine. Sno-Park permit fees support your winter recreation opportunities and facilities.
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