Winter hike suggestions?

[caverpilot]

I'm new to Seattle and am looking for winter day-hike suggestions in the North Cascades - I'm a little deconditioned, so something less than 15 miles r/t and around 3000 feet of elevation gain should do it! 

Bonus if I can reach the trailhead in a Subaru

Bonus if the trail goes to the summit or has awesome glacier views 

Bonus if bringing my dog is not a problem! 

Edited February 1, 2018 by caverpilot

[JasonG]

What do you consider the North Cascades? i.e. how far are you willing to drive from Seattle?

Do you have skis or snowshoes? Or are you looking for typically snow free destinations?

 

[caverpilot]

North of I-90, south of Canada - I'll drive all the way there... 

I'm an experienced backcountry skiier but we are still shopping to replace my wife's skis, so something along the lines of a "hike" would suffice... just really want to get up there and check 'em out but it's so vast I have no reference point... If I was still living in Portland or Missoula I wouldn't have this issue; I'm just such a noob when it comes to anything north of Rainier... 

Thanks!! 

[JasonG]

Old Lookout trail up Sauk Mtn (usually snow-free from TH ~500' to 2500')

Oyster Dome (good conditioner that is snow-free most of the winter).

Suiattle River Trail from road end is often snowfree for miles, though flat

Same for Thunder Creek, Boulder River trails

You can often get a couple thousand vert on the Sourdough trail before you hit snow.

There is probably more to do hiking wise over in the Olympics (but rain is still an issue).

I'll probably think of more in the N. Cascades.....but there really isn't a lot of hiking in the winter around here (at least with elevation gain and good views).  The weather and huge snows tend to limit opportunity.

 

 

[genepires]

Technically Mt Si is north of I90 and fits your requirements

but seriously, if you want long day hikes with being able to drive to trail head, you should be looking along the I90 corridor.