New to snowshoeing? Or just need a fun day-trip getaway? Try snowshoeing the Gold Creek Pond Trail east of Snoqualmie Pass in Washington State. With easy access just off I-90 at Exit 54, you can start snowshoeing through the tall evergreen trees on the edge of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest just minutes after parking your car. Although Gold Creek Pond Trail is basically flat with only a 10 ft elevation gain, the area itself sits at 3,000 ft. and usually has a lot more snow than the lowlands. This makes it is a great place to go if you yearn to get out of the rain and possibly experience a little more sunshine during the winter months. There is ample parking along Forest Road 4832 (which parallels I-90) although it gets pretty busy on weekends and holidays. The road is narrow and can be icy, so be sure to bring proper footwear. A Sno-Park permit is required and costs $20. a day unless you purchase a seasonal pass. You can find more information on Sno-park permits and how to get one at: https://www.wta.org/go-outside/passes/passes-and-permit-info There are also a couple of portable toilets stationed near the gate at the entrance. However, be warned-they may not always be clean. A much better restroom is located at the Snoqualmie Pass Visitor Center rest stop just one exit away at Exit 53. Address is: 603 WA-906, North Bend, WA 98045 (And they are open 24 hours.) Once parked, you can put your snowshoes on right at your car and follow Forest Road 114 which is closed to vehicles and not plowed in winter. Snowshoe this wide beautiful road lined with trees 0.3 miles to the junction with the wide spur which turns off to Gold Creek Pond. There are signs to guide you, although at times, they may be covered with snow. However, there are several entrances to the pond loop making it pretty easy to find. The 2.8-mile roundtrip loop trail around Gold Creek Pond is very scenic with a spectacular view up the Gold Creek valley with Chikamin Peak at its head. The high frosted peaks of Snoqualmie Mountain, Kendall Peak, Mount Thompson and Alta Mountain also rise above the tree line, with Rampart Ridge to the east. There is a small island in the middle of the pond, and you may see beaver dams, ducks, geese, ravens, crows, and other wildlife. Multiple wooden bridges cross streams leading into the lake from Gold Creek, which runs parallel to the pond. On the end closest to the Gold Creek Pond trail entrance, there is an open park area with picnic tables and a bathroom. Many families bring their kids to play here and build snowmen. If you prefer to dodge the large majority of people who congregate around the pond, you can simply continue snowshoeing straight on the unplowed Forest Road 114 after leaving your car and bypass the lake until later in the day like we did. The Gold Creek Trail follows…