Methow Community Trail Ski Tour
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Distance: 17 miles
Difficulty: Mostly easy
Skiing time: 3-6 hours
Season: Mid-December through Mid-March
Maps: Any Methow Valley Sport Trails Association ski map includes the Community Trail on back.
Info: Methow Valley Sport Trails Association hotline, (800) 682-5787.
SKI TOUR NOTES
Access: From Winthrop, Wash., drive west on State Highway 20 for 13-1/2 miles and turn right toward Mazama. Drive 3/4 mile to T with Goat Creek Road (also known as Lost River Road). Go across road to Corral Trailhead parking area near entrance to Mazama Ranch House.
To park vehicle at end of route, go to Methow River bridge at south end of Winthrop and turn west onto Twin Lakes Road heading toward Sun Mountain Lodge and Fish Hatchery. Immediately turn right into plowed parking area between Methow River and abandoned school.
Attractions: Beautifully groomed point-to-point tour mostly through quiet ranch land along Methow River. Route just small portion of valley’s 175 kilometers of groomed ski trails.
Trail ideal for classic or skating techniques. Crosses new suspension bridge over river. Route mostly gentle, with more difficult section in center for variety and downhill thrills. Several options for shorter tours, as well as lodges that can arrange lodge-to-lodge trips with equipment shuttle. Racers skate route in two hours. Tourists may want to take all day, carrying daypacks and eating lunch on trail. End of trail about 350 feet in elevation lower than start. One significant area of climbing midway gains roughly 200 feet and quickly loses it all 1K of roller coastering downhills.
Comments: Skiers must wear Methow Valley Sports Trails Association trail pass, available from lodges or Winthrop Mountain Sports in downtown Winthrop.
From Mazama Corral parking area, cross Goat Creek Road to trailhead for Lower River Run Trail and head downstream through woods.
Ski nearly 5 kilometers and pass Goat Creek Cutoff. Ski short way farther on Methow Trail to cross suspension bridge over Methow River. Gorgeous view downstream, also upstream toward Goat Peak.
Methow Trail winds through openings in cottonwoods, crosses several ranch driveways. At 10Ks, remove skis to cross Highway 20. Look both ways before crossing if mom’s not along to remind you. Ski short way to Brown’s Farm Trailhead and warming shelter.
Next 10Ks to Wolf Ridge Resort trailhead are most interesting. Trail angles away from highway; uses unplowed road to gradually gain altitude on hillside; then tumbles down on trail specifically designed for skiers. Undulating design checks speed. Two sharp corners add adrenaline rush.
From Wolf Ridge Resort, trail runs 8Ks to Winthrop. Crosses Wolf Creek Road twice. Runs past junction with uphill trails to Sun Mountain. Ends at parking area, walking distance from Chewuch Inn, Spring Creek Bed & Breakfast and watering holes in downtown Winthrop.
Shorter point-to-point trips can be planned on Methow Trail by using mid-way trailheads:
Brown’s Farm - From Highway 20, turn south on Wolf Creek Road just after crossing Weeman bridge over Methow River nearly 9 miles west of Winthrop.
Wolf Ridge Resort - From Highway 20 at east bridge in Winthrop, head south on Twin Lakes Road. Go 1-1/2 miles and right on Wolf Creek Road. Go 3 miles, bear right on main gravel road and go 1 mile to parking area beyond large log Wolf Lodge sign.
Important numbers:
Methow Valley Central Reservations, for info and reservations at virtually any accommodations in area, including those along Methow Trail, (800) 422-3048.
Methow Valley Sport Trails Association, for specific info about trail system, (509) 996-3287.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Map of ski tour
The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN - Routes: Classic Trips in the Inland Northwest