Snowshoeing 101
Snowshoeing 101
Snowshoeing is a great way to get outside, explore the forest, and get some exercise during the winter months!
Learn the fundamentals of snowshoeing on our fun, engaging, group classes at Mt. Rainier National Park, then head out on your own trips, or keep joining us to continue learning, playing outside, and connecting with the community!
Age: Open to adults, and teens age 14 and up.
Available Trips
*Our minimum number for this trip is 5. If at least 5 people are not signed up, participants will be refunded for the cancelled trip.
Highlights
Snow – Forests – Education
Difficulty Level
Easy-Intermediate: Some elevation gain and loss, hiking through snow with snowshoes.
2023-2024 Schedule
Will open Nov. 2023 as snow levels permit
Price: Pay What You Can
Each adult costs us around $50 in gear rental, transportation, and entrance fees, permits, and passes.
Photo Gallery
Trip Details
Itinerary
- 8 AM: Meet at Hwy 512 Park and Ride
- 8:30 AM: Leave for Mt. Rainier National Park
- 5 PM: Estimated return to Park and Ride
Learning Goals
- Basic snowshoe skills
- Leave no trace
- Plant and wildlife identification
- Local geography
- Cultural history
Logistics
- Meet Location: Hwy 512 Park and Ride
- Meet Time: 8 AM
- Return Time: Approximately 5 PM
What is Provided
- Transportation
- Snowshoes
- Trekking poles
Paperwork
Indigenous Land
Puyallup
“It [Lushootseed] is from the beginning strength of the people, and it is from what the Creator put down upon this land for people…. The earth speaks. The animals speak. Everything has a voice.”
Vi Hilbert, Grandmother Video Project
The Puyallup tribe in their own language call themselves a name that means “people from the bend at the bottom of the river.” They are one of twelve Lushootseed speaking tribes in the Puget Sound region. The language of Lushootseed has vast diversity and multiple dialects, with each group having their own way of speaking. All dialects were to be honored and respected, reflecting the values of Lushootseed culture such as ‘Be kind, be helpful, be sharing.’
The Lushootseed speaking peoples called the mountain that dominated their horizon Tacoma or Tahoma, a word that may have meant “the mother of all waters.” The Puyallup tribe is calling on the state of Washington to rename the mountain from its current official name of “Rainier.”
Today, the Puyallup Tribe is a recognizable force in the fight for tribal rights, and were a significant player in the Boldt Decision of 1974, establishing the rights of Native Americans in Washington State to fish using traditional methods.
~ This information was found on PuyallupTribe.com