Directions: From Seattle drive east on Interstate 90to Exit 52/West Summit. Turn north beneath the freeway and immediately head right on a spur road to the Pacific Crest Trail parking lot Hike the PCT 2.5 miles to Commonwealth Basin Trailhead.
Trail Notes: Once again we made a run for the snow to avoid getting rained on and again it was a good choice. We got up to Snoqualmie pass around 10:30 and started hiking towards Commonwealth basin. I have to admit the snow was much harder than I had expected. For the first hour or so one really doesn't need snowshoes with the current conditions. There is one large downed tree on the trail approaching the first switchback. Other than that it was pretty clear sailing.
We only ran into one person - and two dogs on the way up to the basin. Once we arrived at the fork in the trail snowshoes became highly desirable. The snow was mostly dried unpacked powder though the relatively shallow depth made crossing the many running creeks more difficult than it would otherwise be. Still, it wasn't difficult. The basin itself was quite nice and once we reached a cliff outlook we decided to call it good. Didn't think we were running late on the return but wound up hiking for the last hour in the dark. Fortunately we had headlamps!! I have found that this time of year they are almost essential...especially if you want to go that extra little bit that exceeds the available daylight. Oh, and if you are doing this hike which I think is a fine snowshoe you should probably park at Snoqualmie ski areas parking lot.
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