Forest Service Not-So-Backcountry Skiing

The Cle Elum Ranger District wants to get the word out about the groomed ski trail opportunities at Salmon la Sac in the Cle Elum River Valley.  This spot  is quite beautiful; the campground is filled with huge trees dripping in lichens and wrapped in mosses.  A hugely popular summer destination, Salmon la Sac quiets down in the winter, especially during the weekdays.  The trailhead and parking area are shared with snowmobilers that can certainly change the sounds and smells you may encounter.  Shooting for mid-week makes a world of difference.

Ideal for beginners, skate skiers, and families, roughly 5 miles of trail are groomed (depending on conditions) every Monday and Friday.   The trail follows the campground loops and side roads.  The groomer uses a snowmobile and a Ginsu groomer to lay down the corduroy in the skate lane and to set two lanes for track skiing. Check the Washington State Parks website for updated grooming information.

Parking: You can park free on the Salmon la Sac road or with a sno-park permit in the Salmon la Sac sno-park. 

How to get to the trail:  Take exit 80 off I-90, head towards Roslyn and Ronald then continue up the valley past Lake Cle Elum to the Salmon la Sac sno-park.  The ski trail leaves the west end of the sno-park, follow the Jolly Mountain road (FS road 4315) to the blue ski trail signs.  Using this trail should prevent you from having any encounters with  snowmobiles.

Follow the trail signs past the historic Salmon la Sac Guard Station, across the Cle Elum River Bridge, and into the campground or up the FS road to the Salmon la Sac trailhead.

The terrain is mostly flat here.  Winter recreationists should always check the avalanche forecast for updated avalanche warnings and information.

Give this area a try, we'd love to hear how you liked it!  For more information, you can call the Cle Elum Ranger Station at 852-1100.


For a map, go to this website:
www.parks.wa.gov/winter/parks/mapdownloa...almon%20La%20Sac.pdf

Hi Kim,

Thanks for posting this on TAY! I think it's great that the Cle Elum RD would choose to get the word out on this forum. Speaking of 'not quite so backcountry', last week even the drive up there felt very backcountry. Looking at a map, you really are driving NW from Cle Elum and Roslyn a fair ways back into the heart of the central Cascades.

Here's a pic from where I parked this week, out the back of the car. While it's snowing like it has been, be sure to bring a good full size snow shovel to clear out around the car. (Trip report to follow, maybe tomorrow.)

Edited to add that the pic below is exceptional; don't let the amount of snow scare you off. The county is very good about keeping the road plowed to the Salmon La Sac Snow Park, even in exceptional circumstances. In past years at least, the plow reaches the end of the road by about 9:30 most mornings. So if the snow is getting too deep, just wait for the plow. Or plan ahead and have a nice lazy breakfast in Roslyn or Cle Elum.

Larry