In October the Summit at Snoqualmie announced a new parking plan for the 2024-25 season, applicable to all ski area parking lots at Snoqualmie Pass (Alpental, West, Central, Silver Fir and East/Hyak).
The parking plan was implemented by the Summit as a way to ensure more available parking for their paying customers.
We confirmed with the Snoqualmie Ranger District that the Special Use Permit (SUP) agreement between the Summit and the Forest Service authorizes the Summit to maintain and operate the parking areas, which includes implementing a fee.
CBA spoke to Summit’s General Manager Guy Lawrence and his team to better understand the details of this plan. We’ve summarized what we learned below, and have also prepared several maps to help orient you to the areas described.
Backcountry Access
The new parking plan will affect how backcountry users access trailheads, with parking permits now required for parking at many trailheads at Snoqualmie Pass.
If you do not plan on buying a season pass at the Summit and you utilize Summit parking lots to access the backcountry at Snoqualmie Pass, you must purchase a parking permit (either Uphill pass or general single-day permit) in order to park in Summit lots.
If you do have a season pass, you may park in any lot at any time during the season.
See our ‘Full Plan Details’ section for more details on the parking plan. Below is a breakdown of parking permit requirements and associated maps for the affected backcountry access trailheads:
Commonwealth Basin
Free parking for the Commonwealth Basin (PCT North/Kendall Katwalk TH) is available along SR 906 between the I-90 overpass and Commonwealth Restaurant.
There is no parking permitted under the I-90 overpass or anywhere along the Alpental access road
Parking in the Laconia/Pass Life/Evo lot is for customers only and should not be utilized for accessing the backcountry
Parking in lot W3 is allowed but requires a parking permit (Season pass, Uphill pass, or general permit)
During peak days* Uphill passholders may only park in lot W3
*Peak Days include December 26 - January 1; Weekends From January 4 - March 2nd; and MLK Day (1/20/25).
Alpental Valley (Source Lake, Snow Lake, + Beyond)
All parking for the Alpental Valley utilizes Summit-maintained parking lots; therefore a parking permit is required for accessing the Alpental Backcountry
Non-peak days - any parking permit holder (Season pass, Uphill pass, or general permit) may park in any lot (A1-A7)
Peak days* - Uphill passholders may only park in lot A7
Backcountry users headed for the Source Lake Backcountry parked in lot A7 are advised to walk up to the main lot, across the pedestrian bridge, and then hike or skin along the base of the resort and access road. Please do not walk up the main Alpental road
Mt. Catherine/Roaring Ridge
Parking in lot E1, E2, or E3 requires a parking permit
On peak days, Uphill passholders may only park in lot E2
Alternative access is available from the Hyak Sno-Park (see below for permit costs) via the Palouse-to-Cascades
Full Plan Details
The Summit parking plan involves overlapping permissions based on pass type and day of the week. Below is our full breakdown of the parking plan and the different parking permits available and when/where they are valid:
A parking permit is required in all lots between 7am and 2pm daily, from Nov. 18th - April 30th.
A parking permit is free for season passholders (the uphill pass is NOT considered a Season’s pass)
Regardless of pass type (Alpental Plus, Alpental LTD, Summit, Twilight, Remedy, or Nordic season pass) parking is free in any lot, any day of the season for season passholders
Overnight parking requires a reservation (roverpass.com)
Ikon passholders do not receive a parking permit; instead permits are 5$/day and are provided during the lift ticket reservation process
An Uphill Pass is required for any users who want to utilize the approved uphill travel routes at West, Central, and Hyak, or access the Alpental or Commonwealth backcountry while parking in a Summit lot
An Uphill Pass is a free add-on for season passholders
For non-season passholders, an Uphill Pass is $45
During non-peak days, Uphill passholders can park in any Summit lot
During peak days*, Uphill passholders can only park in specific lots: A7 (Alpental), W3 (West), and E2 (Hyak)
Free public parking is allowed along SR 906, from the Exit 52 off-ramp to the Commonwealth Restaurant, and from the Snoqualmie Pass Fire Station to Summit Central lot C2. Parking under the I-90 overpass or along the Alpental Access road is not allowed.
A single-day (general parking permit) is $55
General parking permit holders can park in any Summit lot
The Summit runs free shuttles, one between Alpental and West, and another between West and Hyak. More details here.
*Peak Days include December 26 - January 1; Weekends From January 4 - March 2nd; and MLK Day (1/20/25).
Where else can I go?!
There are several additional options for winter recreation along I-90. The following locations all require a non-motorized Sno-Park pass, which is available from Washington State Parks. A day pass is $25, and a season pass is $50. A day pass is good for both regular sno-parks and those with groomed trails. However, a Special-groomed trail permit ($70) is required in addition to the annual pass for several sno-parks that receive specific grooming. An annual Sno-Park pass is valid all season (November 1 - April 30) at any Sno-Park.
Denny Creek Sno-Park (2,200’)
New this year!! The F.S has made big improvements to the road and parking at the Denny Creek / Franklin Falls TH to allow it to remain open year round
Good access for winter hiking, snowshoeing, and limited snow play
Annette Lake Sno-Park (1,926’)
Access to beginner and intermediate snowshoeing/winter hiking, including on the Palouse-to-Cascades trail
Backcountry skiing access on Humpback Mountain and Silver Peak
Hyak Sno-Park (2,560’)
Popular for its sledding hill
Access to beginner snowshoeing/winter hiking
Groomed cross-country skiing trails on the Palouse-to-Cascades trail
Requires special-groomed trail permit if using an annual pass ($70)
Gold Creek Sno-Park (2,560’)
Popular area for snow play and beginner snowshoeing/winter hiking
Backcountry skiing and more advanced winter hiking options also available
Will be open for winter 2024-25 before Gold Creek Pond Restoration Project starts
Cabin Creek Sno-Park (2,462’)
25 miles of non-motorized snowshoe and xc trails trails
Requires special groomed-trail permit if using an annual pass ($70)
Crystal Springs SnoPark (2,400’)
The largest sno park on I-90 with snowshoe and xc trails and space for snowplay near parking lot
Backcountry skiing and more advanced winter hiking options also available
Requires special groomed-trail permit if using an annual pass ($70)
Lake Easton Sno-Park (2,200’)
Snowplay area and beginner snowshoeing/winter hiking trails
Groomed cross-country skiing trails
Requires special groomed-trail permit if using an annual pass ($70)
Continued Collaboration
We understand that these changes will make it more difficult for some users to access winter recreation and our public lands at Snoqualmie Pass. We are continuing to work with the Summit, the Forest Service, and our partners to identify pathways to improve access and reduce barriers moving forward.
If you or a group you are affiliated with is affected by this change and would like to discuss collaborative strategies moving forward, we want to hear from you! Please contact us at: will@cascadebackcountryalliance.com AND tess@cascadebackcountryalliance.com.