Winter hath come early this year.  I’ve encountered snow on the past several hikes I’ve done, stretching back for a month.

Typical modern snow shoes

Of course all of these have been in the mountains, but the Cascades visible from Seattle melt all of their snow during the summer.

Having resigned myself to the weather, I’m considering buying a pair of snow shoes.  I had a set in the past, but these were stolen during my last visit to British Columbia.  It’s becoming obvious that I won’t be able to cover as much ground as I’d like to, though, unless I get myself another pair.  I’ve tried to convince a few friends to get ( or rent ) a pair and join me on the snowy trail, but nobody wants to start a new hobby that they might not like.  So why am I boring you with this?

The national park service has free, guided snow shoe tours of Mount Rainier.  If you can get yourself to Paradise – and this is a lengthy ordeal because they stop maintaining the road inside the park – everything else you need is there.

The park service will lend you the shoes, with two styles to choose from.  A typical group has about 20 people, which is larger than I’d prefer, but makes for a very safe trip.

Canadian lovers

On a clear day you’ll see glaciers, and the most intense shade of iridescent blue shining through narrower chunks of snow.

You’ll learn the basics before setting out – not just how to use the equipment, but also things like the fact that it’s very dangerous to walk up to a tree.  The branches block falling snow, and gravity pulls more snow to level the surface – but it’s far weaker, and less dense, immediately around the trees.  You’ll sink through here, while the snow out in the open will hold your weight easily.

Of course, the tours don’t start until mid December.  This is maybe a premature post, although, as I explained, winter is very much on the mind lately.

Here is information from the national park service’s page on winter recreation at Mount Rainier.  ( That’s a mouthful! )

Ancient snowshoes

Ranger Guided Snowshoe Walks
Join a Park Ranger to learn the art of snowshoeing and discover how the plants and animals of Mount Rainier adapt to the world record snowfalls.

When: Snowshoe walks begin in mid-December and run through March. Between mid-December and early January, walks are offered daily. After early January, walks are only offered on weekend. Walks start at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m..

Distance & Time: Snowshoe walks cover approximately 1.2 miles in 2 hours.

Group size: Snowshoe walks are limited to 25 people, eight years old or older, on a first-come, first-served basis. A sign-up sheet is available at the Jackson Visitor Center information desk one hour before each walk.

Organized Groups: Snowshoe walks are available to organized groups of up to 25 people by reservation only. Group snowshoe walks begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information call (360) 569-2211, ext. 3314 or visit the Longmire Museum or Jackson Visitor Center.

Equipment: For an enjoyable snowshoe walk, you will need

1. snowshoes: Snowshoes can be borrowed from the park for a $1.00 per pair donation (donations defray the cost of snowshoe maintenance and replacement) or you may use your own snowshoes.
2. hat
3. mittens
4. suitable boots (you will sink into the snow even wearing snowshoes)
5. sunscreen
6. sunglasses