Members and Guests: How to find scheduled activities or courses and sign up online.

Look below on this page for the list of currently scheduled Kitsap Mountaineers snowshoe trips or courses. The complete list of currently scheduled Kitsap Mountaineers snowshoe activities may be viewed by clicking on the Search Kitsap Branch Activities link. For safety reasons, guests may not register for snowshoe trips until completing the appropriate snowshoe course or equivalency. Member online registration for our snowshoe activities can be completed by following the instructions once you click on the Search Kitsap Branch Activities link.

Guests may register online to take a Kitsap Branch Snowshoeing course such as Snowshoe Lite by clicking on the Search Kitsap Branch Activities link, which will list currently scheduled courses, then clicking on the GO button to the left of the course you want to take. After clicking on the GO button, click on the red GUEST link on the Registration page and follow the online instructions to sign up as a Guest, agree to the Waiver and pay for the Course, after which you will be registered for the course. Trouble registering online? CALL the Mountaineers at 1-800-573-8484 during business hours.

Search Kitsap Branch Activities

Scheduled Snowshoe Trips

Signup typically opens 2 to 3 weeks before the trip.  Use the "Search Kitsap Branch Acivities" link above to see whether the trip has been added to mountaineers.org and whether it is open for signup.  Please signup for the trip online using the "Search Kitsap Branck Activities" link above.

Dec 3, Sun - Snowshoe Panarama Point-McClure Rock.  Depart 7AM from Poulsbo Church of the Nazarene.  Park entry fee required. Drivers may be required to not only have snow chains, but may be required to install them at Longmire. Route is north out of Paradise Parking Lot, passing west of Alta Vista,east of the Glacier Vista area, and up the non-avalanche zone chute to Panorama Point. Completion of this activity completes the requirement for a moderate showshoe. An ice axe can be handy when used properly to glissade back down from Panorama Point. Drivers reminded about snow chains and park pass. Supposed to be sunny, be ready for bright sun. BUT, only bet on a long white out and pack you ten essentials accordingly. To glissade down Panorama Point on the return, ice axe required.  Leader Doug Terry, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dec 6, Tue - Winter Travel Winter Camping Lecture.  Fire Station 51, 5:30PM to 9PM.  This class is taught at Silverdale Fire Station #51, located at 10955 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale, WA 98383. The parking lot is entrance is located to the right of the Emergency Vehicle Driveway.  Leader Doug Terry, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dec 18, Sun - Snowshoe, Winter Travel, Winter Camping Lecture.  Fire station 51, 9AM to 5PM.  This class is taught at Silverdale Fire Station #51, located at 10955 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale, WA 98383. The parking lot is entrance is located to the right of the Emergency Vehicle Driveway.  Leader Doug Terry, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dec 29, Thu - Showshoe Hurricane Ridge.  6 mi r.t., 1650ft gain.  Depart 8AM from Poulsbo Church of the Nazarene.  Leader Doug Terry, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dec 31, Sat - Snowshoe Obstruction Peak Road.  4 mi r.t. minimum and 800ft minimum gain.  Non-stop stunning alpine vistas of the Olympic Park interior from a setting of wind sculpted snow and snow crusted trees. Bring extra water and clothing. The weather can turn bad quickly on this trip . . . BE PREPARED. This can be a very windy trip. It finishes with a 250 snow ascent up a fairly steep slow. Contact leader if you want to be waitlisted. I want a full size group on this.  Depart 8AM from Poulsbo Church of the Nazarene.  Leader Doug Terry, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jan 8, Sun - Snowtravel skill practice at Hurricane Ridge.  Depart 8AM from Poulsbo Church of the Nazarene.  Leader Doug Terry, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Course Lead Instructor: Doug Terry: (360) 550-7911 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

With record setting snow ready to accumulate and the hiking schedule slowing down, it is time to turn your attention to traveling in the snow. Snowshoe Lite and the Winter Travel Course are an excellent way to maintain or improve your outdoor fitness while learning the best winter weather travel methods, winter safety, and winter mountaineering skills. If you always went into indoor hibernation until the snow cleared, with this course, you will no longer have to wait until spring and summer! This course will offer you the information you need to keep smartly active in winter. The course is unique and designed to accommodate a range of skills, from people who have no experience in winter travel, to those who have completed our scrambles and climbing courses.

An informational presentation will be held at the Kitsap Cabin on October 28^th at 7 PM or October 30^th 1 PM, at the Silverdale Firestation on Silverdale Way, and we will briefly try to answer any questions pertaining to the course.

The Snowshoe Lite Course presents essential information to the beginning winter traveler, ensuring they know what to expect and the best methods employed for intelligently interacting with the winter environment. This course is the first two classes of the Winter Travel Course. Snowshoe Lite offers travel technique training and simple snowpack evaluation methods to those who want to get out snowshoeing while being cognizant of potentially hazardous conditions. Topics of instruction include: selection and use of equipment, conditioning, outing and route selection and movement, snowpack evaluation, and winter specific first aid. Students will also determine causes of accidents studied in Accidents in North American Mountaineering. Students will be eligible to participate in easy snowshoe tours with the confidence of having a basic foundation in winter travel.

The Winter Travel Course includes the Snowshoe Lite Course and offers detailed instruction in enjoyable wilderness travel techniques and alpine living for the Pacific Northwest winter environment. Topics of instruction beyond material covered in Snowshoe Lite include: advanced snow travel to include self arrest, advanced snowpack evaluation, avalanche awareness and rescue, navigation & route-finding, winter camping, building a snow cave, and miscellaneous winter hazards. Students develop skills for participating in easy, moderate or strenuous snowshoe tours with alpine areas or non-technical climbs as destinations.

Class size is limited-35 Total. This is an enjoyable, popular class. Snowshoe Lite Students will attend two lectures and two field trips. Winter Travel Students will attend four lectures, three field trips and an optional fourth snow caving if desired. Winter Travel must complete three additional outings and a conservation project.  Navigation will be offered as a separate, but required, module.

Lecture Location: All Lectures are currently scheduled to be held at the Silverdale Firestation 51 Meeting Room.

Lecture Dates (Firm):

Nov. 13, Sat. 9 AM to 4 PM Introductory Visuals, Equipment, Fitness and Preparation, Snowshoeing & Avalanche Awareness and Rescue

Tentative  
Dec  6:15-9:30 pm Avalanche Rescue, Snow Travel, Conservation & Navigation

Dec.11, Sat. Alternative teach all of Winter Travel Class

Dec 14 6:15-9:30 pm Winter Camping, Snow Structures, and Winter Survival

Field Trips (Dates TBA):

Trip 1     Snow Travel & Snowpack Evaluation (Hurricane)

Trip 2     Avalanche Awareness and Rescue, Advanced Snow Travel (Hurricane)

Trip 3     Arrest Practice and Winter Overnight (Hurricane)

Trip 4     Snowcaving (Location TBA)

Eligibility requirements: Be at least 14 years of age. 14-17 years-olds must have parental permission and be interviewed by the Course Instructors.  The Showshoe Lite course fee is $52. The Winter Travel course fee is $106.

If you're interested in the course and need more information before making a commitment, please call/text Doug Terry @ (360) 550-7911 or mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Additionally, you will pick up more information about the course when it begins on Nov. 13^th.

(may vary due to climb rate or trail conditions):

Easy
0 - 500 ft. elevation gain, maximum 6 miles round-trip. Open to all properly equipped members of the Mountaineers.

Easy +
500 - 2,000 ft elevation gain, maximum 10 miles round trip. Easy Moderate tours converted to Easy +. NO ice axe required due to the terrain and combination of elevation gain and miles. Minimal avalanche danger. Must be a graduate of the Snowshoe Lite, or a student or graduate or Advanced Snowshoe or Winter Travel, Alpine Scrambling or Basic Climb courses.

Moderate
500 - 2,000 ft. elevation gain, maximum 10 miles round-trip. Ice ax required. Must be Advanced Snowshoe student or graduate, or Alpine Scrambling or Basic Climbing course graduate.

Strenuous
2,000+ ft. elevation gain, no maximum distance. Ice ax required. Crampons may be required. Must be Advanced Snowshoe student or graduate or Alpine Scrambling or Basic Climbing course graduate.

The Pace of the trip is defined as:
(L pace) Leisurely pace: The slowest pace trips.
(S pace) Social pace: Less than 2 miles per hour. Suitable for conversation and observation.
(M pace) Moderate pace: Approximately 2 miles per hour.
(F pace) Fast pace: Greater than 2 miles per hour.

Northern Olympic Peninsula hikes initially meet at the Park and Ride at the Poulsbo Church of the Nazarene, 22097 Viking Way NW, Poulsbo, WA. It is on Viking Way, north of Hwy 305, adjacent to the Washington State Patrol office (talk about secure parking!)
Southern Olympic Peninsula hikes meet at the Bremerton National Airport.
Port Townsend members anticipate meeting at Fat Smitty's in Discovery Bay.

Kitsap recommends taking the Ferry when coming from the mainland. Take the Edmonds to Kingston Ferry to avoid the slow exit from Bainbridge Island when engulfed in traffic. Time from Kingston Ferry landing to Quilcene Ranger Station is 45-50 minutes.  We often plan a post trip gathering at a convenient restaurant.

Mileage
For driver/passenger planning purposes, the one way distance from Poulsbo Church of the Nazarene to: Heart of the Hills Ranger Station, Heather Park, and Lake Angles trailheads is 63 miles. Hurricane Ridge Parking Lot is 75 miles. Camp Handy Trailhead is 59 miles. Tubal Cain Trailhead is 61 miles. Silver Lakes Trailhead is 62 miles.