Snoqualmie Pass
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| Snoqualmie Pass | |
|---|---|
 I-90 through the Snoqualmie Pass (©2004 Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust) |
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| Elevation | 3022 ft./921 m. |
| Location | Washington,  United States |
| Range | Cascades |
| Coordinates | 47°24′36″N 121°24′21″W / 47.41°N 121.40583°WCoordinates: 47°24′36″N 121°24′21″W / 47.41°N 121.40583°W |
| Traversed by | Interstate 90 |
Snoqualmie Pass is a mountain pass that carries Interstate 90 through the Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Washington. The pass summit is at an elevation of 3,022 feet (921 m), and is on the border of Kittitas County and King County. The pass is the largest of the three east-west mountain routes across Washington state which are kept open year-round, the others being 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 the pass are named after the Snoqualmie people of the valley to the west.
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[edit] Recreation
The area consists of mountain chalets that are mainly seasonally occupied by residents of the Seattle metropolitan area, 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[1] in the summer, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing 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.
[edit] History
The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad 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.[2]
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.
