We went to Winter Trails Day last year to try snowshoeing as a family for the first time. As a result, we each bought a pair of snowshoes: 2 barely used from an REI "garage sale," 1 off Craigslist, and 1 on clearance from LLBean. We did a couple snowshoe excursions last spring, but haven't done any yet this season. The Mountaineers property at Snoqualmie pass is usually only open to paying groups, but on Winter Trails Day it is free and open to all, so we decided to go again this year.
This location is all about snowshoeing (other locations throughout the region offered cross country skis and instruction). The vendors set up their booths with their hundreds of loaner snowshoes for people to try. We didn't need to check out snowshoes this year since we had our own, so we went right into the woods to get started on our adventure.
Both girls grew a size and were in new (to them) bibs, coats, and boots. A few years back I hit the after-season sales (80% off) and stocked up in every future size, so I just go to the garage and pull out a bin and have them try things on until they find what fits. So far they've been consistent in their growth, getting one or two seasons out of each item, so nothing has gone unworn.
This way, or that way... to the fun!
It hadn't snowed for awhile so the snow was very crusty and hard. Not the best conditions, but at least it wasn't slush.
The girls enjoyed scaling every little mound or pile of snow that fell off the trees during the previous week's warm spell.
Sometimes getting back upright was a challenge.
Little K got so overheated that she unzipped her parka and took off her mittens. Not the best choice, but we knew hot chocolate was on the horizon, so I didn't argue with her about the need to keep her hands from getting chilled. Her little fingers would soon be wrapped around a steaming cup of chocolatey goodness.
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