Usually, four "newbies" are taken out. (Two winners are selected and each of them can bring along a non-snowmobiling friend or spouse.) This year it proved to be a challenge to actually find people to take out... The original winners backed out at the last minute and left WSSA scrambling to find replacements. In the end, only three people were available to go.
We met up at the Crystal Springs Sno-Park on the top of Snoqualmie Pass around 10am on Friday, January 23rd. Tables and chairs were set up outside with a roaring fire nearby to keep warm. Cinamon rolls and drinks were provided for a light breakfast. Everyone geared up and WSSA provided snow suits and helmets for the newbies.
Snowmobiles too were provided for the newbies, and here is part of our group gathered around while one of our ride leaders explains the controls and talks about snowmobile safety. (Notice my pickup with beat-up camper and snowmobile trailer in the background.)
We only rode about 10-15 minutes before we stopped and checked our new riders to see how they were doing. Notice we are now in the thick of the fog!
Our next stop had us up above the fog and enjoying the blue sky! Our three new riders were all from Yakima so they hadn't seen the sun like most locals in several weeks!
Our group stopped again enjoying the great views.
My old (97) Summit 670 posing with some frost and snow-covered trees.
You can see it in this picture, but it was more dramtic in person. Notice how the trees in the background had no ice on them, but the closer ones do? These areas were at the same elevation, but the clouds/fog had been hanging in the iced trees for the past several days while the other area had been clear.
Here is our group posing in front of Mt. Rainier.
Mt. Rainier.
After riding for a couple of hours, we were headed back to the Crystal Springs Sno-Park. Before we got there, we stopped off at Keechelus Lake. You can see we are back down below the clouds!
Looking down the lake.
Once back in the sno-park, everyone enjoyed a lunch of hot dogs, chili, soup and other snacks.
Our new riders were asked if they wanted to go back out again after lunch and all answered with an enthusiastic YES!! So we did!
We took a break here where there were a bunch of antenna towers.
We rode for another few hours and eventually headed back to the sno-park to load up. After everyone was loaded, we all drove down to the Parkside Restaraunt in Easton for dinner. Dinner for our guests was also covered by WSSA.
All in all, it was a great day. Unfortunately there was no new powder so the riding was very spring-like. Also the snow depth wasn't what it should have been due to the heavy rains back at the first of the year. Still, anytime a person can be outside playing is a good time!!
