Washington Trails: A Week of Everything But Predictable
The holiday week of December 22 - 28 in Washington state delivered a classic winter mixed bag, largely dictated by a recent atmospheric river. From bluebird powder days to a relentless barrage of rain and even hail, conditions were a vibrant, if sometimes challenging, mosaic across our favorite trails.
This past week truly ran the gamut, showcasing the state's remarkable diversity in winter. While lowland and coastal areas saw significant precipitation, mid-elevations wrestled with fluctuating snowlines, turning some trails into icy, muddy obstacle courses. Higher up, particularly east of the Cascades, hikers reported pristine snow and clear skies, a stark contrast to the sodden west. Overall, roughly half of the state's reported trails were snow-free, though this varied wildly by region. The Puget Sound and Issaquah Alps offered reliably bare ground, while the Snoqualmie Region remained largely blanketed in white. This ever-changing landscape meant that flexible planning and appropriate gear were essential for anyone venturing out.
Where to Go: Your Best Bets This Week
For those seeking clearer paths and slightly less commitment, these trails offered good conditions:
- Little Mountain Park - Bonnie and Clyde Loop (Bellingham Area): A reliably snow-free option in the Puget Sound, perfect for stretching your legs without slogging through the slush.
- West Tiger 3 (Issaquah Alps): For a solid workout close to the city, trails like West Tiger 3 were mostly clear, providing accessible winter hiking on dry-ish ground.
- Heybrook Lookout (Stevens Pass - West): This Central Cascades trail was in good shape, offering those rewarding views without the need for extensive snow travel.
- Wallace Falls State Park (Stevens Pass - West): The iconic waterfalls were flowing beautifully, and the trails reported generally good, snow-free conditions for a classic Washington experience.
Where to Avoid / Heads Up
Some areas required extra caution, or were simply inaccessible this week:
- Road Closures & Detours: Keep a close eye on your GPS. Access to Skagit Wildlife Area, Wiley Slough - Fir Island, and Margaret's Way/Debbie's View on Cougar Mountain were reported as impassable or closed. One hiker even noted unexpected road work near Cougar Mountain's Exit 13, requiring a detour.
- Icy Roads & Avalanche Danger: The road to Mount Townsend had snow and ice, so if you're heading that way, plan for winter driving conditions. Crucially, significant avalanche danger was reported in higher elevations for Annette Lake and Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake. Always check the Northwest Avalanche Center before venturing into the backcountry.
- Lake 22 (Mountain Loop Highway): While offering a "dreamy reflection" of the mountains, the trail was tricky. Slick, intermittent snow and ice began around 1.5 miles in, making microspikes a highly recommended addition to poles.
- Snoqualmie Pass Region: Trails like Snow Lake are in full winter mode. Road access can be dicey, with "frozen snirt" (a hiker's term for that delightful mix of frozen snow and dirt) making for slick surfaces. Four-wheel drive or chains are always a wise move.
- Copper Creek Hut Snowshoe (Mount Rainier Area): Conditions varied; consistent snow started about 2 miles in. While recent tracks meant snowshoes weren't strictly necessary for some this week, new snow could easily change that.
From the Trail
"A hike is just what I needed - and this one included a bit of everything: rain, hail, snow, and sunshine!" — View report on WTA
"Yesterday (and today), there is horizon-to-horizon blue sky day with lots of snow in the valley and even more higher up. Perfect day for a hike up Spokane Gulch. This has been an atypical, last two and half months." — View report on WTA
Looking Ahead
For the most accurate mountain weather, check these sources before heading out:
- NWAC Mountain Weather Forecast - Best for Cascades snow and avalanche conditions
- NWS Seattle - General Seattle/Puget Sound area
- Mountain Forecast - Peak-specific forecasts
Conditions change rapidly in the mountains - always verify current conditions before your trip.
This report is compiled from 150 trip reports submitted to the Washington Trails Association for December 22 - December 28, 2025. For real-time conditions on specific trails, check the latest reports on WTA.org.