Ready For Sledding - All We Need Is Snow!

I've heard fun things about the Hyak Sledding Hill but haven't gone yet because Jake's been too young.  This year, however, I wanted to check it out!

I couldn't pinpoint exactly where it is, even on the official http://parks.state.wa.us/647/Snow-Play-Sno-Parks.  I could see that it was off of Exit 54 and generally SE of the exit, but before driving somewhere new, with Jake, on snowy roads, I want to know either a specific address I can plug into GPS or *exactly* which roads to take.  I've also heard that the parking permits are a little complicated & that you can get hefty tickets for disregarding them.  Today, after driving home from lunch with my Mom & Nanna, I found myself Jake-less by Hyak so I decided to take a quick detour to figure out logistics.

Fortunately, even though the map on the website looked a little vague, there are clear signs to "Keechelus Trailhead."  If you follow 2 brown signs to Keechelus, the 3rd sign you'll see is for "Hyak Sledding Hill."

QUICK SUMMARY
Since I've included lots of nitty-gritty details here, here's a quick summary of where to go & what to do to get started sledding at Hyak Sledding Hill:
1. Take exit 54
2. Follow 2 brown signs to Keechelus Trailhead until you see the brown sign for Hyak Sledding Hill.
3. In the parking lot, if you don't have any Washington State permits, use a Visa/MC to buy a "Sno-Park/One-Day Discover Pass Combo" for $30.
4. Go sledding!  That's it - you don't need anything else on this page.  :)


***UPDATE - SLEDDING HILL IS OPEN FOR 2014/2015 SEASON***

On December 30, 2014, I returned to the Hyak Sledding Hill with Jake.  While there was some snow, there was also ice & some dirt patches.  Sledding conditions aren't ideal yet, but it is a fun place to escape to some snowy with easy driving conditions before school & work hit next week.

Jake on the kiddie hill off to the side:

Main sledding hill.  Only die-hard sledding fans would brave these icy & sometimes rocky conditions:

 Off to the side there was another little hill next to a big open field where some folks were making snowmen.  This was the most popular area that afternoon.

If you're interested in details of the route or permits, continue on...

GETTING THERE
Address: For GPS, try entering: 15 Keechelus Boat Launch Road, Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068. This may not be recognized by all GPS systems, but it may get you close.
Link to map: http://binged.it/1xGDejC
Directions:
1. From Seattle/Duvall, take I-90 East and take Exit 54-Hyak.
2. At end of off-ramp, take a RIGHT.
3. In about 20 feet, take IMMEDIATE LEFT.  Look for brown "KEECHELUS TRAILHEAD" sign under a green "Dept. Of Transportation HYAK MAINT. DIV" sign.

4. In about .4 miles, turn RIGHT onto  Keechelus Boat Launch Road.  Look for the brown KEECHELUS TRAILHEAD" sign.

5. Take the first RIGHT into the Hyak Sledding Hill parking lot.

 

 

PARKING & PERMITS
Parking at the Hyak Sno-Park Sledding Hill requires 2 permits from Washington State.  Parking permits are tightly enforced, especially on crowded weekends, so make sure to plan accordingly. 

These can be a little complicated your first time out, so in a nutshell, make sure you have both a Sno-Park Permit and a Discover Pass:
Sno-Park Permit - If you only plan on going once, a single day permit is best.  If you plan on going twice or more, an annual Non Motorized Sno-Park Permit for $40 would be the best option.  If you click on the "Price List" of the Sno-Park Permit link below, it says "$20 per day, valid for 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days."  This may mean that a single $20 permit is valid for both days in a single weekend, although I'm not 100% sure.
Discover Pass - If you already have an annual Washington Discover Pass, you don't need an additional one.  If you don't have a Washington Discover Pass, decide if you want a single-day Discover Pass, an annual Discover Pass, or the Sno-Park/Discover Combo.  You can buy a Discover Pass at the Duvall True Value: http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/.

	Single Day	Annual Pass	More info
Non-Motorized Sno-Park Permit	$20	$40	https://fortress.wa.gov/parks/ecomm/prod/Store/SNO/SnoChoice.aspx
Discover Pass	$11	$33	http://www.discoverpass.wa.gov
Sno-Park/Discover Combo	$30	N/A	https://fortress.wa.gov/parks/ecomm/prod/Store/SNO/SnoChoice.aspx

There is a parking meter in the parking lot which sells the required permits & accepts Visa & MasterCard.  However, if for any reason the machine is down it could be a pain to find a place to buy them so buying ahead of time is advised.

SLEDDING HILL
Right now, the sledding hill is closed.  I'm so excited for it to open!  I will update this once I have photos with snow and sledders.  The "official" hill looks like it would be pretty amazing for older kids.  I'm not sure if our 4 year-old is ready to start at the top of the hill, but we could always hang out on the lower part.  Also, once the area is covered in snow, I hear that there are pockets around the field where smaller kids play.  I'm so excited to check this out with Jake!

The top of the hill looks organized, directing sledders to the middle of the hill & returning folks to walk up the sides.

This hill looks frumpy now but I bet it will be fun & crazy covered in snow & sledders!

FACILITIES
Since planning for potties is an important part of adventures with kids, I scoped out the restroom facilities.  I did not find any diaper changing stations (I looked for friends with younger kids), although half of the restrooms were locked.  However, I was really happy to find a building in the middle of the parking lot with heated restrooms and running water. 

FULL LOT
The Hyak Sledding Hill is really popular on the weekends.  If the lot is full and has become a scene out of Hunger Games with mini-vans & SUVs, Gold Creek State Park can be a backup plan.  To get to Gold Creek Sno-Park, return back towards I-90.  However, instead of returning to the freeway, continue over the overpass.  Just on the other side of I-90 is the entrance to Gold Creek State Park.  Take a RIGHT into the park.

RELATED LINKS
Snoqualmie Pass WSDOT traffic cam: http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/passes/snoqualmie/default.aspx
Washington State Parks Winter Recreation
     Web: http://www.parks.wa.gov/130/Winter-Recreation
     Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_WNTR
     Phone: 360-902-8684


Hyak Sledding Hill at Lake Easton State Park: http://parks.state.wa.us/647/Snow-Play-Sno-Parks
Hyak Sledding Hill map: http://binged.it/1xcCwuV
Hyak on Washington Adventure Awaits: http://adventureawaits.com/2013/12/snow-play-sno-parks/
Hyak Sledding Hill on Bing: http://www.bing.com/search?q=Hyak+Sledding+Hill&src=IE-TopResult&first=9&FORM=PORE


Washington State Sno-Parks Permits: https://fortress.wa.gov/parks/ecomm/prod/Store/SNO/SnoChoice.aspx
Washington Discover Pass: http://www.discoverpass.wa.gov/
Washington Trails Association's breakdown on various national & state permits: http://www.wta.org/hiking-info/passes/passes-and-permit-info


Gold Creek State Park: http://www.parks.wa.gov/438/Blewett-I-90#Gold Creek
Gold Creek trail report: http://adventureawaits.com/2013/01/snowshoeing-gold-creek/,
Gold Creek map: http://binged.it/1red1GR
Tubing at Snoqualmie: http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/activities/tubing-faq




Map to Hyak Sledding Hill

Map to Gold Creek Sno-Park (if Hyak Sledding Hill is full)