Snoqualmie Pass

How do you objectively review a mountain pass on earth? The earth did a good job creating these peaks and valleys. Lots of hard work into this one. I bet it took years to create. Shout out to mother nature for providing a good amount of snow all season. ⁹⁄₁₀ would visit again.
–1 star for attracting too many humans and traffic.

So that’s why they call it an «Oh shit» handle.

save your self the headache and drive to Stevens Pass

Fortunately, the Pass doesn’t always look like the photo on the main page!
We came through over the weekend and were shocked on how much snow was still there and how Keechelus Lake was the highest we’ve seen in nearly a decade. You need to see it. Three years ago you could nearly walk out to the center. Nature’s beauty at it best!
WOW!!!

This pass will DOMINATE you and your WEAK 2WD VEHICLE.
I love me a good, mighty pass.
Before driving the pass in winter, I assumed all Interstates were our way of dominating mother nature. Nothing could clog or slow an interstate! NOTHING.
Boy was I wrong. Wifey and I crossed the pass twice in two days, both during a Winter Storm Advisory. The second time after it’d been closed for avalanche danger until 8pm at night. Sweet.
Have chains. Have backup chains. Go slowly. Respect the mountain. Obey the WSDOT warnings.
We made it fine, by putting on chains, going slow and respecting it.
We also saw a sweet Lexus with awesome street performance tires slipping it’s ass all over the road while driving 10mph. Suck it.

You’re snowy, and need more lighting. But otherwise, you get the job done. Thank you.

I was chased by a Sasquatch here a few weeks back.
Zipzap Zubidy Bop!

Holy crap, I hate going over the pass!
In the 18 years I’ve lived here I’ve been over Snoqualmie Pass less than a dozen times. It scares the living dog &#!* outta me! Last February or March was the first time I’ve been over in the snow. Here’s that story…
I was invited to attend an education rally on the steps of the state capital in Olympia. This was the first big deal thing I’d been invited to partake in my ten years as a school employee. Our superintendent, as well as the president of the school board were also on the trip. The superintendent was driving. First stop was for coffee. Now we’re on our way.
We get near the rest area in the Ellensburg Canyon. Does Mr. Superintendent ask the obligatory «Does anyone need the rest area?» Of course not, he fly’s right on by. Oh well, the next one is nicer anyway. I can hold it. We get close to Indian John Hill and I really have to pee. I don’t want to be the whiner baby with bladder control issues, so I don’t say anything. I mean the guy drank a large latte, he’s gotta take a piss too. WTF, he drives right by the rest area. Is this guy wearing a diaper? Well, that’s just rude. I can see not asking at the first rest stop, but at the second one? It’s not like we were late or anything. I say to my seatmate, as Super and Pres are yaking away not paying any attention to us, «I can’t believe he didn’t stop at the rest area, I have to use the bathroom.» Seatmate speaks up and asks, «Can we make a restroom break?» I’m thinking, yeah we can stop on the pass at the lodge. Super replies with, «We’ll stop in North Bend.» North Bend? I can’t wait for North Bend. I’m going to pee my f-​ing pants.
Wait…what’s that white stuff on the cars coming from the summit? Is it snowing? Oh crap. I ask the Super how his winter driving skills are. Do we have chains? OMG, I’m wearing a skirt and flat shoes, and I don’t have my winter coat. He’s going to wreck the van. I’m going to have to walk in two feet of snow in these stupid shoes with wet undies. I’m starting to hyperventilate. There is a lot of snow. Cars are driving really slow. You can’t drive slow you bastards, I have to peeeeeeee.
We start sliding. I am freaking out. I decide to call my husband. He knows how much winter driving freaks me out. He’ll calm me down. Oh no, it’s a big no-​no to use your phone during work hours. I don’t care. He tells me to enjoy the scenery. It is really pretty. It looks just like the perfect Christmas. Ok, I calm down, but I still have to go to the bathroom. Watching the beautiful, snow covered pine trees helps to keep matters in between my legs off my mind.
Well, we finally make it over the pass and are soon to North Bend. We stop at the Shell station. I don’t even wait for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. I, along with the school board president, bolt for the mini mart. Oh sweet Jesus! I have never been so happy to see a public restroom. After using the facilities (before getting back in the van) the president says to me «I am so glad you said something about stopping, because I really had to go.»
I used every bathroom I saw that day. On the way home we gave the Super a super hard time about not stopping for potty breaks. I also sat back and enjoyed the view. Next time you go over Snoqualmie Pass remember to ask your passengers if they’d like to stop at the rest area.

«What The What?!»
Winter Storm Advisory in October??? Man, what a way to give me more gray hairs! I ended up making it over The Pass with no issues, but I was shakin’ in my boots for a bit. Looks like the skiers have something to be optimistic about for the coming season.
Ummm…hopefully the Gods of the Pass will be gentle with me for my trip home in a few days.

I love this pass. I love driving over it — Ok I love driving over it when weather provides me with visibility!
Mountains majestic! A lake. Curves and bends. SUN! Good signs to alert motorists regarding pass changes and needs.
I cross this pass often as I live on one side of Wa and still have family on the other. 4 times this year so far with 2 more trips planned.