Distance: Varies
Elevation Gain: Varies
Maps: Green Trails, Benchmark Mountain No. 144
Description: Walk a multi-use snow-covered road from Hwy 2 as far as you want. You’ll be parking at a narrow pullout on the side of westbound Highway 2. There is a beautiful stream right next to the highway that makes for scenic photos. In the past, we’ve walked about a mile up the road and found a nice place to sit off the trail and have a bite to eat. If you walk several miles up the road, I believe there are some avalanche areas, so only go deep when avalanche danger is low. As this road is also used by skiers and snowmobilers, you won’t be alone; please stay to the outside of the road, and avoid the ski tracks. We managed to find a small hill near the highway to sled down before heading back to the car.
Directions: From Seattle, drive east on Highway 2. Go past the ski areas at the summit, about 6 miles, to the Mill Creek Exit. make a U-turn here to turn back onto westbound Hwy 2 (the highway is divided at this point.) Travel west for 1.4 miles, where you will see a plowed pullout along the right side of the highway just before the Smithbrook Road (FR 6700). No sno-park pass is needed. Use caution with young children and the traffic.
Links: Read our trip report. Read the WTA description of the longer hike.