Parking at the Snow Lake - Alpental lot?

[JZickler]

Is overnight parking allowed at the Snow Lake TH?

Many thanks

JZ

[DPS]

I haven't been this season, but in winter's past they have allowed parking in the lot at the end of the road past the main Alpental parking lot. During the rest of the year one needs a pass to park there. Maybe sleeping in your vehicle is techinically not allowed, but I doubt anyone would hassle you if you keep a low profile.

Edited March 21, 2011 by DPS

[wayne]

I just heard from Geoff G.that they are towing and ticketing all overnight parking in all lots. I hope this is not true.

[genepires]

What is the reason for the tickets/towing? Is it something that is only during the ski season?

 

It seems like they would not have the authority to be able to do this as it is public land. They definitely wouldn't do that to the RV parked there.

[spotly]

That blows. I've crashed in the upper lot several times in the past and in the lowest lot once. Might have to rethink the annual Toothathon strategy.

[AlpineK]

I don't know if it was bs or not, but last year I remember hearing something about an overnight camping/parking fee. If this isn't the case check to see if they're cool with parking in the lowest lot, or the first lot you come to driving up the Alpental road.

[mzvarner]

Over night parking is allowed. You need to register with security to avoid any problems. (425)-434-7669

[obwan]

I'm confused about who is hauling away vehicles, how would one camp overnite or several days at Snow Lake? A trailhead pass should do it, what has changed?

[OlympicMtnBoy]

Skiers buying lift tickets are more important than dirtbags like us. $ talks and the concessionaires get to make the rules. They don't care as much when the ski areas are closed so you get to park there with only a trail pass. Maybe calling the above number will work.

[Friedrich]

I just heard from Geoff G.that they are towing and ticketing all overnight parking in all lots. I hope this is not true.

Over night parking is allowed. You need to register with security to avoid any problems. (425)-434-7669

 

I called the above number recently and spoke to security. Unfortunately what they told me is that they ARE towing all overnight parkers. Even though I offered to pay the $10 bucks for the RV fee and park in the RV lot (as described on their website) they said 'no, that's only for people who are going to stay in their vehicle.'

 

They were adamant on the subject-- apparently they've recently decided they are going to "enforce the policy" to not allow overnight parking "during the ski season" whenever that is.

 

This kinda pissed me off, especially because the upper 2 lots are on forest service land. I politely asked how they could do this on public land?

 

The guy on the phone said that they have the ability to do this under the terms of their conditional use permit with the US forest service.

 

Call the number yourself and see what they say. This sucks.

[Friedrich]

If this pisses you off too, please continue discussion on the 'access issues' forum:

 

http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1012363#Post1012363

[letsroll]

Are there signs saying that there is no overnight parking and that they will tow you? Wonder if they have a ride program to get you off the pass to where ever you car its towed. Wonder if you called the police to say that your car was stolen. Seems like ticketing would be the best policy if they are going to be dicks about overnight parking. Besides how many cars are in the lot for "overnight parking." Could not be that big of a number.

[AlpineK]

On Sunday I saw a number of vehicles parked in Alpental lots with lots of snow on top of them and recent snowplow tracks around. It was pretty obvious they'd been there overnight.

 

Maybe if you have the right license plate number security doesn't mess with you

[Friedrich]

That would be cool. What bugs me is the unpredictability of it. I parked there overnight on Dec 17th blissfully unaware, no problems.

Then 2 weekends ago after calling and getting the scare-down, we parked super far away for our overnight, because it would really suck to get back from a climb and find out your car was towed. Too much risk.

 

Luckily we were able to thumb rides both to and from the trailhead almost instantly. Nice people around here. Too bad the owners of the facility aren't so welcoming.