• The Triger Slam: start on the West Tiger #3 trail, then head to West Tiger #2 and finish with #1. That’s 8-9 mi and 3k gain
• Dog Mountain in the Gorge is 6-7 mi (depending on what branch of the trail you take) and 2800’ gain
• Mailbox if you’re looking for something harder
• Hex Mountain is a good conditioner snowshoe (~6 mi and 2800’ gain) with low avalanche danger (always check the forecast before going)

And those can be great to escape congestion for a bit at times

Which will likely be sooner than later

It might just be better to just avoid it in the winter and wait for the snow to melt

It’s about 6 or 7 mi from the Colchuck Lake TH with about 5k gain. The way to Colchuck Lake is about 5 mi, but the you have to hike up Aasgard Pass (about 2k gain in one mile) before you get to the Core Zone. Most people stop at Colchuck Lake, but the effort to make to the Core is totally worth it and it makes Colchuck look meh (I’ve done the hike multiple times and hate the hike from Colchuck Lake to the TH since it’s not too scenic and takes forever on the way back). I think the road is closed for the winter now so you have time to get prepared for next year