Hex Mountain - Snoqualmie Region

View from the summit of Hex Mountain

After a long work week, I desperately needed to get out into the wilderness. This day-hike up Hex Mountain was the perfect start to my winter hiking season.

We arrived at the trailhead around 9:30am, and the sun was already beating down on us pretty hard. Even though it was cold, I still remembered the importance of wearing sunscreen when hiking in the snow. Unfortunately we forgot sunglasses…a note for next time.

It took a little while for my legs to get used to walking in the snow. While it wasn't deep, I still had to take smaller steps at a slightly slower pace to conserve energy (and save my knees). Fortunately, this allowed me to slow my roll a bit and savor being in the quiet environment. I'm usually a pretty fast hiker; I still notice nature's beauty but I enjoy the challenge and like to get my heart pumping. This hike is an uphill climb all the way to the top (2,900ft elevation gain, 7.5 miles roundtrip). At a slower pace, a lot more details revealed themselves—the bright, neon green of the lichen, the variety of birdsongs, the abundance of pine trees, and the cool, fresh scent of tree sap.

Forest fires have ravaged a large portion of this region, and this hike winds straight through the remnants. The remains of these burned trees are a somber reminder of the effects of Global Warming. Life will continue to grow out of the ashes, but as the frequency of these fires increases, the environment will not have the opportunity to heal and will grow more unstable as time progresses.

View of Cle Elum Lake and the evidence of forest fires

As we climbed, the snow got deeper, but not to the point where snowshoes were necessary. We wore gaters to keep the snow out of our boots (highly recommended). When we finally reached the summit, we enjoyed 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, including the tip of Mt. Rainier. The temperature was much colder at the top. The instant we stopped moving, we donned all of our layers, hats, and gloves.

Finally, after enjoying our peanut-butter-heavy lunch, we began our descent. Wearing Yaktrax or micro spikes on the way down was quite helpful to prevent slipping. Someone on an ATV had also cleared some of the blow-downs that covered the road section on the way up, making passage a little easier.

I love winter hiking, so long as the right gear is packed. If you are going out hiking in the snow, be sure to have a map, the right gear, and enough layers to keep yourself warm. When you take breaks, sweat will cool your body quickly, so it's best to pack more than you think you'll need.

Be safe, be smart, and see you on the trail!