[JVesquire]

Understanding the parking a bit better now at Alpental and looking at the map--it looks like you can follow Source Creek a bit and be in national forest and not on Alpental's backcountry. Is that correct and suitable for camping? (obviously, not in an avalanche chute as may be the case in that valley at times). Or is there some Alpental rule prohibiting backcountry users from following that route?

[Malachai Constant]

The Basin near Source Lake is a notorious avalanche trap with at least three chutes going into it and several deaths. Is this a joke? If so it’s not funny

[solohiker]

It used to be fairly common (or at least not uncommon) for some thrifty skiers to build igloos on the forested path east of source lake, well outside the avalanche zone. I knew a guy that was a ski instructor who stayed in his all winter. Don't know if this is still the case. It's been years since I've ventured into that area on either skis or snowshoes.

[JVesquire]

No, not all the way to source lake. Like 100 feet past the road end.

[Schroder]

[Randito]

There are two things you need to consider for camping up the Alpental Valley 1) Avalanche Safety. The area has killed many people over the decades. Avoid the entire valley during periods of high avalanche hazard -- check the NWAC forecast. There was a double fatality some years ago when some folks camped in the old growth forest below Source Lake were buried in their tent from a natural avalanche coming off Chair Peak that swept across Source lake and through the old growth forest and buried the tent. There is a semi-popular ski run off Snoqualmie Mtn that finishes up near the Alpental Maintenance sheds. Prior to 1986 "The Phantom" was an impressive area of old growth forest. A storm deposited 5 feet of snow followed by 6 inches of rain -- a natural avalanche ripped through the old growth forest and cleared a swath and deposited hundreds of ripped up old growth trees in the area just above the maintence sheds. There was another double fatality maybe a decades ago when some people camped at Snow Lake and a storm dumped over 3 feet of snow -- they wallowed back up to Snow Lake divide and despite very dangerous avalanche conditions attempted to descend to Source lake -- they triggered an avalanche that killed 2 of their 3. 2) Parking -- At Alpental, only Lot 3 allows overnight parking and you have to pay ($40) for overnight parking. https://summitatsnoqualmie.com/overnight-parking Anyway -- personally I would go elsewhere for an introductory snow camping experinence. E.g. Tronsen Meadow -- park at one of the free road side spots on the Chelan County side of Blewett Pass. Reflection Lakes or The Group camping area at Paradise at Mt Rainier. Skyline Lake North of Steven Pass (unsure about the parking issues here) Those are all short access places to snow camp with much less exposure to avalanche hazard than anywhere up the Alpental vallley and won't trap you if there is a big dump overnight the way snow camping at Snow Lake could. Best of luck

[JVesquire]

Thanks for the information. I understood lot 7 was allowed for nonguests.

[Randito]

[JVesquire]

Thanks, appreciate the info. Is parking on SR 906 overnight allowed?

[thuja]

There are much better areas for snow camping, what about the Alpental/Source Lake area has you interested in going there? Parking is a major issue, avalanche risk is an issue, shortage of open/flat ground is an issue.