Sasquatch Ski Trail

This system of trails is varied and challenging enough to give you a feeling of adventure while getting you away from the maddening crowds and the din of snow machines. After leaving FS-83, the trail becomes more magical with every twist and turn, leading you up the southern flank of Mount St. Helens and through corridors of snowy mountain hemlocks and groves of red alder.

The Sasquatch Loop Trailhead is about 2 miles east of Marble Mountain Sno-Park. To get there, ski east on either the Pine Martin Ski Trail or FS-83, which is closed and snow covered just past the sno-park. The Pine Martin Trail is a gently winding and rolling trail that parallels FS-83, rejoining it briefly at several points in order to cross creeks. FS-83 itself is a bit more direct, but is shared with snow machines. The Pine Martin Trail rejoins FS-83 approximately a half mile shy of the Sasquatch Trailhead. 

The Sasquatch Trail is marked by a large wooden sign with an engraved map of the trail system located just off the north side of FS-83. It starts out heading north gently uphill. If you prefer a gentler ascent, and a faster descent, take the junction to the right to do the loop counter-clockwise.

The Sasquatch Trail system is comprised of three loops: upper loop, middle loop and lower loop. The three loops can be done in any combination. The lower loop, which incorporates about a mile of FS-83, is generally the easiest of the the three loops. The most challenging terrain is found in the middle and upper loops. While the trails are generally well marked with blue diamonds, the upper part of the upper loop can be quite challenging as markers here are often missing or difficult to see, and the terrain is more open, and rolling or flat. If you choose to venture into the upper loop it is strongly advised that you have a map and compass along with strong route finding skills. The steepest bits are along the western side of the system, between the first junction and the apex of the upper loop.