Copper Creek Hut Snowshoe

 We headed up to the Copper Creek Hut near Ashford, for a day of snow showing. This "trail" is along an old logging road, that is groomed by the Mount Tahoma Trail Association. There are been very little to no snow only a couple of days before. We were able to drive up and park at the Upper SnoPark (although it was very icy and dangerous by the time we were to drive out). Today's snowshoe was 8.8 miles round trip with 1,040 ft of elevation gain.
It was possible to go up to the hut without snowshoes, but we decided to put them on about 0.75 mile up the trail.

The elevation gain is very mild over this length of the road, with some areas steeper than others. There are several side roads/trails to choose from and the signage is very good on this main road.

 The snow covered trees are beautiful.
We stayed to the side of the road, leaving the center for skiers.
There were tracks to follow where a group of snowshoers had gone up the night before.

 It started to snow while we were snowshoeing.

 Was wonderful to enter the hut and warm up while eating our lunch.

 Icicles hanging from the eaves

 No distant views today, but that helped me to focus on the nearby beauty all around.

 Lots more snow as we snowshoed back to the car.

 The snow would quickly cover the tracks of those who came up after us and we would make new tracks.


















Close to 6+" of new snow in some places along the trail.

Copper Creek Hut Winter Hike/Snowshoe

Today, we drove up to Ashford to hike/snowshoe up to Copper Creek Hut and back on the Mount Tahoma Trail Assoc groomed trails. We were able to drive up to the lower SnoPark lot at about 3,200 ft. Our hike was 9 miles round trip with 1000 ft of elevation gain.

The lower section had a thin layer of compact icy snow, so we started out with our microspikes on and carried our snowshoes.     We found the entire length of the trail well packed, so carried our snowshoes the entire way up. Then opted to wear our snowshoes on the way back for a good workout.

 There are lots of beautiful trees along the way.

















The snow got deeper as we gained elevation, but the trail was well groomed, so we didn't post hole.

Occasionally, we had views to the south along the way.

 We saw lots of rabbit tracks.

 Although it was cloudy with a few snow flurries, we loved the snowy forest.

 Copper Creek Hut, on a clear day, I hear there are good views of Mt Rainier.

 We did have views to the south across the Ashford Valley.

 view to the southwest.

 some snowy trees that caught my fancy today:

Copper Creek Hut Snowshoe Washington

Another trip up near Ashford, Wa on the way toward Mount Rainier. These trails are groomed by the Mt Tahoma Trail Association. This snowshoe trip is usually 8 miles round trip with 1000 ft elevation gain, when starting from the upper Sno-Park lot. Because of the recent heavy snowfall, only the lower Sno-Park lot was open. This adds 2.6 miles to the trip (for 10.6 miles RT) and an additional 300 ft elevation gain. A good trip on packed snow. We were able to hike about 1/4 mile along the road before putting on our snowshoes.

This is a map of the North trails.

After 1.3 miles and 300 ft elevation gain, we reached the traditional start of the snow trail. You gain see how much snow fell this week at 3300 ft by the snow on the roof over the signs on the right.

After 5.3 miles and 1300 ft elevation gain from where we parked the car, we reached Copper Creek Hut. It was so nice to go inside to warm up and eat our lunch before snowshoeing back to the car.
For those spending the night up at the hut, there are several trails you can explore in the area.
On a clear day, there are views of Mt Rainier and the Nisqually River Valley.






A beautiful walk in the snowy woods today!