Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

Infobox Mountain Pass
Name = Snoqualmie Pass
Photo = I90ThruSnoqualmiePass.jpg
Caption = I-90 through the Snoqualmie Pass (©2004 Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust)
Elevation = 3022 ft./921 m.
Location= Washington, USA
Range = Cascades
Coordinates = coord|47|24|36|N|121|24|21|W|type:pass_region:US-WA_scale:150000_elevation:921|display=inline,title
Topographic

Traversed by = Interstate 90

Snoqualmie Pass is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 201 at the 2000 census.

It is also the name of a mountain pass (maximum elevation 3022 ft./921 m.) through the Cascade Range. Both the CDP and the pass are named after the Snoqualmie people of the valley to the west.

Interstate 90 across the pass is the largest of the three east-west mountain routes across Washington state which are kept open year-round, the others being Stevens Pass (U.S. Route 2) to the north, and White Pass (U.S. Route 12) to the south. I-90 is the primary commercial artery between Seattle, Washington and points east carrying an average of 27,087 vehicles through the pass per day.

Based on per capita income, Snoqualmie Pass ranks 6th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked. It is also the highest rank achieved in Kittitas County.

Recreation

The area consists of mountain chalets that are mainly seasonally occupied by residents of the Seattle metropolitan area, with approximately 150 year-round residents. Winter sports are the main draw, but outdoor recreation is available year round.

The Pacific Crest Trail crosses through Snoqualmie Pass and a variety of other trails are also available for hiking and climbing [http://www.peakbagger.com/range.aspx?rid=125103] in the summer, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months.

Snoqualmie Pass is also the site of the Summit at Snoqualmie, a group of alpine ski areas managed by Boyne USA Resorts. The Summit consists of four ski areas: Alpental, Summit West (formerly named Snoqualmie Summit), Summit Central (formerly Ski Acres), and Summit East (formerly Hyak). The Summit at Snoqualmie is the closest ski area to Seattle, so it is often crowded on weekends.

Snowmobiling just east of the pass is also popular during the winter months. Also in the summer and fall, paragliders and hang gliders may be seen flying above the valley, along the ridge and landing at Lake Keechelus.

History

The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad completed a line through Snoqualmie Pass in 1909. The same year, an improved wagon road was also built over the pass. The Sunset Highway was opened through the pass in 1915. [http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1905-1920.htm]

In 1927, the road over the pass became U.S. Route 10. It began to be plowed and kept open during winter in 1931. By 1933, the first alpine ski hill was cleared at Snoqualmie Pass. In 1934, US 10 was finally paved.

In 1969, Interstate 90 was built over the pass.

Since 1980, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust has acted to protect the scenic value of the I-90 Corridor over Snoqualmie Pass.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.4 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 201 people, 88 households, and 60 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 70.1 people per square mile (27.0/km²). There were 330 housing units at an average density of 115.0/sq mi (44.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.03% White, 1.00% Asian, 1.00% Pacific Islander, and 4.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 88 households out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 2.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 18.9% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 37.3% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 109.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $81,883, and the median income for a family was $89,532. Males had a median income of $50,417 versus $26,875 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $54,316. None of the families and 1.9% of the population were living below the poverty line.

References

External links

* [http://www.snoqualmiepass.com/ Cascade Times, local newspaper that serves the area]
* [http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/snoqualmie/ Snoqualmie Pass Road Conditions - WaDOT]
* [http://www.hyak.net/history.htm/history.htm History Link]