Lanham Lake Snowshoe

I suppose it's time to buy snowshoes...again. The used ones I bought a couple years ago weren't the best, and have recently broken beyond repair. Julie can't always loan me her extra set, though that plan has been working thus far!

Thanks, Julie!!

Anyway, we both confessed we were really struggling to be motivated to do another snowshoe, but we didn't want to disappoint Heidi. Snowshoeing is beautiful and all, but it is a different animal than hiking - a much more difficult animal. Three to four miles is pretty much max, and it's hard to want to drive up to the mountains if you are only going to do a handful of miles. 

But a search on WTA revealed a snowshoe I had never heard of that wasn't too bad of a drive. Just a few miles past Steven's Pass and you'll find the Nordic Center; a place none of us had ever been to. What a great place with a huge lot; though you will need your Northwest Forest Pass to park there. The building has bathrooms you can use, and you could even rent snowshoes if you don't have a friend like Julie. 

The man at the desk was very friendly and let us know exactly where the Lanham Creek Trail was (just look for the blue sign!) but that it was not an official part of the maintained trails system there. (Which you would need a special pass for - looks like a great place for cross country skiing if you're into that!) 

Good job, Sammy!

When it was all said and done, we were proud we had pushed ourselves, and really glad we hadn't picked anything over four miles. A stop at the newly renovated Bush House in Index was the perfect reward for our efforts. Happy "having fun until the snow melts" trails! (A few more "things to know" are below for those interested.) 

Really good food!

Things to know list:

1) According to AllTrails, Lanham Lake Trail is 3.3 miles with 1,177 ft elevation gain and takes an average time of 2 hours...best to expect to double that with snowshoes on.

2) This is not a heavily used trail, which means it may be hard to follow. There are ribbons on trees to help until you intersect with a service road.

3) Turn right on the road and follow up until you intersect with a groomed trail. Yes, I know you're not supposed to use these, but you'll need to for just about 600 feet. Then you'll veer off to the left; it's not terribly obvious, but you'll see this sign once you go in. 

You're on the right track!

Don't keep going on the groomed trail

4) You'll have a lovely section that is sort of flat and open, but then you will be heading up steeper and steeper and you might want to turn around if you are anything like us. But keep going; the lake is worth it. 

Easy

Not easy

5) Just because you see that others have gone out on the lake does not mean it's safe. I'm sure you already know that, but it doesn't hurt to say it again. Falling in the water up there would be a very bad idea.

Worth the push