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Snoqualmie Pass: Interstate 90 Crossing and Resupply Hub

Snoqualmie Pass: Interstate 90 Crossing and Resupply Hub reference article on thruhikingwiki.com.

Overview

Snoqualmie Pass is a major Pacific Crest Trail resupply and lodging node where the trail crosses Interstate 90 in central Washington.

Key points

  • The trail passes directly through the Snoqualmie Pass area at the Interstate 90 corridor, offering immediate access to services.
  • Typical amenities include lodging, restaurants, and a convenience-style market with limited grocery selection.
  • Many hikers treat Snoqualmie Pass as a central pivot point for adjusting Washington schedules around weather and daylight.
  • Because of constrained store selection and pricing, some thru hikers choose to send resupply boxes to Snoqualmie Pass.
  • The location marks the transition into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and more sustained high-country terrain to the north.

Details

At Snoqualmie Pass, the Pacific Crest Trail intersects Interstate 90 at a developed mountain pass area. The trail corridor is immediately adjacent to a cluster of services that commonly include lodgings, restaurants, and a convenience-type store or small market. This configuration allows hikers to access food, rest, and shelter without requiring hitches to a separate town, which distinguishes Snoqualmie Pass from several other Washington resupply points.

Because the local grocery selection is generally compact and oriented toward both travelers and seasonal recreation, some long-distance hikers prefer to send a prepacked resupply box to Snoqualmie Pass. Others combine available food items with remaining supplies from previous segments, depending on dietary preferences and cost considerations.

Snoqualmie Pass often functions as a strategic planning waypoint. Hikers may check updated weather forecasts, reconsider pace targets for the remaining Washington sections, and evaluate daylight constraints as the season advances. It is also a logical location to adjust gear choices, such as rain protection or insulating layers, in response to conditions encountered so far.

North of Snoqualmie Pass, the trail traverses the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and continues toward Stevens Pass and the Glacier Peak region. This terrain is known for steep climbs, intricate topography, and extended stretches between easy road access points, which can influence how much food hikers choose to carry from Snoqualmie.

As with other resupply nodes along the Pacific Crest Trail, specific businesses, schedules, and services at Snoqualmie Pass can vary by year and season. Up-to-date information from official sources, local operators, or recent hiker reports is a useful supplement to general descriptions.

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Illustrative hiking footage

The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.