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Elevation Gain
500.00 ft (152.40 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
3.00 mi (4.83 km)
Warming hut
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.
Summit Lake sits nestled in a small basin directly below the popular Grace Lakes basin on the western edge of the Stevens Pass Ski Area. This area gets a lot of attention from outdoor recreation clubs who use the convenient location to teach and practice a plethora of winter backcountry skills. It can also be an excellent place for beginners to build their confidence with cross-country snow travel.
The route shoves off from the ski area's southern and upper parking lot, where a short path climbs the slope into the tree cover. Find the groomed cat track here and head west to begin snowshoeing past several maintenance buildings and winter cabins. As a general guideline in snowshoeing etiquette, it's best to always give skiers and snowboarders the right-of-way by sticking to the edges of groomed runs. Take extra care to watch for swift downhill traffic within this first half mile, as the track winds through a dense fir corridor with a few blind corners. At almost a mile in, the forest gives way to a clearing where you would see the first of the tiny Grace Lakes if it didn't happen to be buried beneath the snow. From here, you can ascend the fluffy banks to explore the meadows where the other ponds reside, or resume the path that drops down a few hundred feet to the inviting north shore of Summit Lake.
Always check weather and avalanche reports before traveling into the backcountry. There are posted avalanche warning signs in the area.
Recommended Gear
Before you head out on your next Mount Hood adventure, make sure you have the right gear!
Here's a list of our go-to snowshoeing essentials to get you started:
Snowshoes: MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe
Cushioned, Made in USA, Ultralight, 98.8 oz
Men's • $299.95 • MSR | Amazon | Backcountry | REI
Women's • $299.95 • MSR | Amazon | Backcountry | REI
Jacket/Shell: Arc'teryx Zeta AR Jacket
Waterproof, Adjustable Drawcord Hem, Pit Zips, GORE-TEX
Men's • $431-475 • Arc'teryx | Amazon | Backcountry
Women's • $475 • Arc'teryx | Amazon | Backcountry
Pack: Mammut Nirvana Pro Pack
35L, Carry-On Size, Hip Belt, Ice Axe / Pole Loops, Hydration Compatible
Standard Fit • $189.95-199.95 • Mammut | Amazon | Backcountry
Small Fit • $199.95 • Mammut | Amazon
Insulating Layer: Moosejaw Dequindre Down Jacket
Water-resistant, Insulated, Adjustable Drawcord Hem
Poles: Black Diamond Traverse Pole
Aluminum, Adjustable with Lever Lock System, 21 oz.
$79.95 • Black Diamond | Amazon | Backcountry | REI
Gloves: The North Face GORE-TEX Gloves
Waterproof, Adjustable, Insulated, GORE-TEX
Men's • $99.95-181.63 • The North Face | Amazon | Backcountry
Women's • $99.95-100.00 • The North Face | Backcountry
Boots: Vasque Snowblime UltraDry Boot
Waterproof, Cushioned, Insulated
Men's • $149.99 • Vasque | Amazon | Backcountry
Women's • $149.99 • Vasque | Amazon | Backcountry
Gaiters: Outdoor Research Verglas Gaiter
Waterproof, Breathable, Lightweight, Abrasion-resistant
Men's • $41.32-65 • Outdoor Research | Amazon | Backcountry | REI
Women's • $49.95-65 • Outdoor Research | Amazon | Backcountry | REI
Logistics + Planning
Current Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Thu
46°F
36°
Fri
54°F
41°
Sat
54°F
44°
Sun
47°F
42°
Mon
51°F
40°
Tue
52°F
40°
Wed
50°F
41°
Preferable season(s)
Winter
Congestion
High
Parking Pass
Not Required
Pros
Old-growth forest. Frozen alpine Lakes.
Cons
Large crowds. Near busy ski area.
Pets allowed
Not Allowed
Trailhead Elevation
4,100.00 ft (1,249.68 m)
Features
Old-growth forest
Cross-country skiing
Typically multi-day
No
Groomed trail
Yes
Location
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