Snoqualmie Pass
Encyclopedia
Snoqualmie Pass is a mountain pass
that carries Interstate 90
through the Cascade Range
in the U.S. State of Washington. The elevation of the pass summit is 3022 feet (921.1 m), and is on the county line between Kittitas County and King County
. Snoqualmie Pass is the largest of the three east-west mountain routes across Washington State that are kept open year-round, along with Stevens Pass
(US 2) to the north, and White Pass
(US 12) to the south. I-90 is the primary commercial artery between Seattle and points east, carrying an average of 27,087 vehicles through the pass per day.
The pass lends its name to a census-designated place (CDP) located at the summit (see: Snoqualmie Pass, Washington). Both the CDP and Snoqualmie Pass are named after the Snoqualmie
people of the valley
to the west.
, with approximately 150 year-round residents. Winter sports are the main draw, but outdoor recreation is available year round.
The Pacific Crest Trail
crosses through Snoqualmie Pass and a variety of other trails are also available for hiking
and climbing
http://www.peakbagger.com/range.aspx?rid=125103 in the summer, cross-country skiing
and snowshoe
ing during the winter months.
Snoqualmie Pass is also the site of the Summit at Snoqualmie, a group of alpine ski
areas managed by Boyne USA Resorts. The Summit consists of four ski
areas: Alpental
, Summit West (formerly named Snoqualmie Summit), Summit Central (formerly Ski Acres), and Summit East (formerly Hyak). The Summit at Snoqualmie is the closest ski
area to Seattle, so it is often crowded on weekends.
Snowmobiling just east of the pass is also popular during the winter months. Also in the summer and fall, paragliders
and hang gliders may be seen flying above the valley, along the ridge and landing at Lake Keechelus.
of the region. Hudson's Bay Company
trappers and traders were active in the Snoqualmie and Yakima valleys during the early 19th century. They knew about Snoqualmie Pass but information about their use of it is vague. A possible early use of the pass was that of A.C. Anderson, who drove cattle across the Cascades in 1841, via a pass he called "Sinahomish Pass".
George B. McClellan
and his lieutenant Abiel W. Tinkham explored the Snoqualmie Pass region in 1853 and 1854. Their goal was to find a pass better suited for a railroad than Naches Pass
, where the Naches Trail crossed the Cascade Mountains. They explored from the east side of the mountains, reaching the vicinity of Yakima Pass. Tinkham continued down the west side via the Cedar River
. McClellan decided not to examine Snoqualmie Pass itself because of unfavorable reports from Indians.
In 1856 Major J.H.H. Van Bokkelen, then of the Washington Territory
Volunteers (militia
), crossed Snoqualmie Pass on a scouting mission. In 1858 several large pack trains bound for mines east of the Cascades crossed the pass. In 1865 a number of Seattle citizens, including Arthur A. Denny
, explored the Cedar River, Snoqualmie Pass, and Naches Pass. They reported that Snoqualmie Pass route was a better choice for a road than the old Indian trail over Yakima Pass. By 1867 a toll road had been built over Snoqualmie Pass. Intended to be suitable for wagons, for years the road was only usable by pack trains and for cattle drives.
The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway completed a line through Snoqualmie Pass in 1909. The same year, an improved wagon road was also built over the pass. The Sunset Highway was opened through the pass in 1915.http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1905-1920.htm
In 1927, the road over the pass became U.S. Route 10. It began to be plowed and kept open during winter in 1931. By 1933, the first alpine ski hill was cleared at Snoqualmie Pass. In 1934, US 10 was finally paved.
In 1969, Interstate 90 was built over the pass.
Since 1980, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust has acted to protect the scenic value of the I-90 Corridor over Snoqualmie Pass.
Mountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
that carries Interstate 90
Interstate 90 in Washington
Interstate 90 , a transcontinental Interstate Highway from Seattle, Washington, to Boston, Massachusetts, crosses the state of Washington before crossing the Idaho state line between Spokane and Post Falls...
through the Cascade Range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
in the U.S. State of Washington. The elevation of the pass summit is 3022 feet (921.1 m), and is on the county line between Kittitas County and King County
King County, Washington
King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
. Snoqualmie Pass is the largest of the three east-west mountain routes across Washington State that are kept open year-round, along with Stevens Pass
Stevens Pass
Stevens Pass is a mountain pass through the Cascade Mountains located at the border of King County and Chelan County in Washington, United States....
(US 2) to the north, and White Pass
White Pass (Washington)
White Pass is a mountain pass in the Cascade Range south of Mount Rainier and north of Goat Rocks in Washington, USA. U.S. Highway 12 passes over White Pass, connecting Yakima County with Lewis County....
(US 12) to the south. I-90 is the primary commercial artery between Seattle and points east, carrying an average of 27,087 vehicles through the pass per day.
The pass lends its name to a census-designated place (CDP) located at the summit (see: Snoqualmie Pass, Washington). Both the CDP and Snoqualmie Pass are named after the Snoqualmie
Snoqualmie (tribe)
The Snoqualmie Tribe is a tribal government of Coast Salish Native American peoples from the Snoqualmie Valley in east King and Snohomish Counties in Washington state. The Snoqualmie settled onto the Tulalip Reservation after signing the Point Elliott Treaty with the Washington Territory in 1855...
people of the valley
Snoqualmie Valley
The Snoqualmie Valley is a farming and timber-producing region located along the Snoqualmie River in Western Washington, United States. The valley stretches from the confluence of the three forks of the river at North Bend to the confluence of the Snoqualmie River and the Skykomish River, forming...
to the west.
Recreation
The area around Snoqualmie Pass consists of mountain chalets that are mainly seasonally occupied by residents of the Seattle metropolitan areaSeattle metropolitan area
The Seattle metropolitan area in the US state of Washington includes the city of Seattle, King County, Snohomish County, and Pierce County within the Puget Sound region. The U.S...
, with approximately 150 year-round residents. Winter sports are the main draw, but outdoor recreation is available year round.
The Pacific Crest Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance mountain hiking and equestrian trail on the Western Seaboard of the United States. The southern terminus is at the California border with Mexico...
crosses through Snoqualmie Pass and a variety of other trails are also available for hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and climbing
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
http://www.peakbagger.com/range.aspx?rid=125103 in the summer, cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
and snowshoe
Snowshoe
A snowshoe is footwear for walking over the snow. Snowshoes work by distributing the weight of the person over a larger area so that the person's foot does not sink completely into the snow, a quality called "flotation"....
ing during the winter months.
Snoqualmie Pass is also the site of the Summit at Snoqualmie, a group of alpine ski
Alpine Ski
Alpine Ski is an Alpine skiing arcade game, released by Taito in 1981.- Description :The player controls a skier, who can move left, right, or increase forward speed. The aim is to maneuver a skier through a downhill ski course, a slalom course, and a ski jumping competition in the shortest time...
areas managed by Boyne USA Resorts. The Summit consists of four ski
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
areas: Alpental
Alpental
Alpental, the German word for alpine valley, is both a valley in eastern King County, Washington, United States and a ski area in the valley. The valley is about 50 miles east of Seattle, Washington and is north of Snoqualmie Pass, in the Washington Cascades. It is a popular outdoor...
, Summit West (formerly named Snoqualmie Summit), Summit Central (formerly Ski Acres), and Summit East (formerly Hyak). The Summit at Snoqualmie is the closest ski
Ski
A ski is a long, flat device worn on the foot, usually attached through a boot, designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now mainly used for recreational and sporting purposes...
area to Seattle, so it is often crowded on weekends.
Snowmobiling just east of the pass is also popular during the winter months. Also in the summer and fall, paragliders
Paragliding
Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure...
and hang gliders may be seen flying above the valley, along the ridge and landing at Lake Keechelus.
History
Snoqualmie Pass was well known to the Native AmericansNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
of the region. Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
trappers and traders were active in the Snoqualmie and Yakima valleys during the early 19th century. They knew about Snoqualmie Pass but information about their use of it is vague. A possible early use of the pass was that of A.C. Anderson, who drove cattle across the Cascades in 1841, via a pass he called "Sinahomish Pass".
George B. McClellan
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
and his lieutenant Abiel W. Tinkham explored the Snoqualmie Pass region in 1853 and 1854. Their goal was to find a pass better suited for a railroad than Naches Pass
Naches Pass
Naches Pass is a mountain pass of the Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located about east of Tacoma and about northwest of Yakima, near the headwaters of tributary streams of the Naches River on the east and the Greenwater River on the west. The boundaries of Pierce, King,...
, where the Naches Trail crossed the Cascade Mountains. They explored from the east side of the mountains, reaching the vicinity of Yakima Pass. Tinkham continued down the west side via the Cedar River
Cedar River (Washington)
The Cedar River is a river in the U.S. state of Washington. About long, it originates in the Cascade Range and flows generally west and northwest, emptying into the southern end of Lake Washington...
. McClellan decided not to examine Snoqualmie Pass itself because of unfavorable reports from Indians.
In 1856 Major J.H.H. Van Bokkelen, then of the Washington Territory
Washington Territory
The Territory of Washington was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 8, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Washington....
Volunteers (militia
Militia (United States)
The role of militia, also known as military service and duty, in the United States is complex and has transformed over time.Spitzer, Robert J.: The Politics of Gun Control, Page 36. Chatham House Publishers, Inc., 1995. " The term militia can be used to describe any number of groups within the...
), crossed Snoqualmie Pass on a scouting mission. In 1858 several large pack trains bound for mines east of the Cascades crossed the pass. In 1865 a number of Seattle citizens, including Arthur A. Denny
Arthur A. Denny
Arthur Armstrong Denny was present at the founding of Seattle, Washington, the acknowledged leader of the pioneer Denny Party, and later the city's wealthiest citizen and a 9-term member of the territorial legislature...
, explored the Cedar River, Snoqualmie Pass, and Naches Pass. They reported that Snoqualmie Pass route was a better choice for a road than the old Indian trail over Yakima Pass. By 1867 a toll road had been built over Snoqualmie Pass. Intended to be suitable for wagons, for years the road was only usable by pack trains and for cattle drives.
The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway completed a line through Snoqualmie Pass in 1909. The same year, an improved wagon road was also built over the pass. The Sunset Highway was opened through the pass in 1915.http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1905-1920.htm
In 1927, the road over the pass became U.S. Route 10. It began to be plowed and kept open during winter in 1931. By 1933, the first alpine ski hill was cleared at Snoqualmie Pass. In 1934, US 10 was finally paved.
In 1969, Interstate 90 was built over the pass.
Since 1980, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust has acted to protect the scenic value of the I-90 Corridor over Snoqualmie Pass.