Tahoma Trails overnight registration is at Whittakers in Ashford. Only the Copper Creek Hut is open. The #92 access road (1 mile below Ashford) is plowed to the first snow-park at 2500', where a WA Sno-Park permit is required. This makes the hut about 5 miles one-way.
If you don't want to spring for the permit, try USFS Road #59 (Left 1/2 mile before Copper Creek Restaurant). Skiing will improve above the 4WD/ATV transition zone.
For fairly flat short tours, try 'County Line': the first gated road on the right just south of the Nisqually Bridge on Kernahan Road. This is Tacoma City Light no-motors wildlife habitat and offers about a 3-mile loop with spurs to the river.
Just beyond, Kernahan Road bends and becomes Skate Creek Road, a main snowmobile trailhead. You might try USFS Road #84 (Right 4.5 miles from Mtn Hiway), then right again in a mile on #8410 (Teeley Ck Rd). This is only 3-4 miles long, so of limited interest to the sled-heads. It is quite scenic and offers the possibility of turns in the upper clearcuts.
