Drive four-and-a-half hours northeast of Seattle, Washington and two-and-a-half hours east of Bellingham and you will find yourself in the middle of nowhere. Well, almost…
“The Methow Valley is a bit of a hidden gem, I believe, because of the access to the area,” says Paul Smotherman, owner of the North Cascades Mountain Hostel in Winthrop, WA. “As a recreationalist, the Methow Valley is paradise. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails surround the area including high alpine trails in the Cascades to low valley sage brush and rolling hill hikes that are great to experience in the early spring as the snow begins to melt up high.”
Stretching from east of Mt. Baker up to the Canadian border and the Okanagan region and including the towns of Pateros, Carlton, Mazama, Winthrop and Twisp, the Methow Valley is Old West meets the cross-country skiing capital of the world.
“It is unspoiled, quiet and pristine,” says Kristen Smith, marketing director for Winthrop, Washington. “To top all that off, we have some of the greatest recreational opportunities found anywhere. We are home to North America's largest cross-country ski area with over 120 miles of perfectly groomed trails. We are a mecca for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, hunting, backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. For people who love the outdoors there is nowhere better!”
In the winter, locals and visitors can take the 200K Challenge by skiing every trail in the Methow Valley trail system or repeating loops. Along 37 miles of trails connecting Cub Creek to Mazama are huts (Rendezvous Huts) for people to reserve and spend the night. Huts are now available for summer rental as well.
While the cross country skiing is the main draw for Methow Valley, the mountain biking and trail running events held in the area offer scenic and challenging courses for outdoor enthusiasts.
When the snow has melted, the sunflowers start blooming and the Sunflower Trail Marathon and Relay is a great way to kick off the summer running season. Taking place on May 9, 2015, the Marathon and Relay is “a magical marathon running on wildflower-lined trails from the town of Mazama to Twisp,” says Smith.
On June 14, 2014, the Sun Mountain Lodge Winthrop Traverse celebrated the life cycle of salmon through a multi-sport race featuring the natural and urban challenges they experience. Participants do a three-mile run, 12-mile mountain bike, four-mile paddle, 20-mile road bike, and a .25-mile team trek to the Old Schoolhouse Brewery.
“The Sun Mountain Lodge Winthrop Traverse is a unique event in the valley,” says Todd Elsworth, who is the Executive Director of Recreation Northwest which puts on the Northwest Traverse Multi-Sport Series. “It’s part of a larger statewide regional series with other events in Olympia and North Bend, and a Grand Finale event in Bellingham. There are many ski, bike and running races hosted in the valley annually and we are proud to be able to bring a multi-sport race to the east side of the Cascades.”
Aptly named, the Cutthroat Classic on August 15, 2014 takes runners on an 11.1-mile trail over Cutthroat Pass. The race starts at 4,800 feet on the Pacific Crest Trail and climbs five miles to the Pass at 6,800 feet. Runners descend four miles to Cutthroat Lake on switchbacks at 5-10% grade.
Claiming to be one of Washington’s toughest races, the Methow Valley Off-Road Duathlon Race offers “grueling uphills and equally exciting downhills” on the 40K mountain bike and 10K trail run course. This year’s race takes place on September 27.
In addition to the outdoor activities the area offers year-round, the Wild West feel is prominent, especially in Winthrop, where the oldest legal saloon in Washington still operates. Visit in May and you can partake in ‘49ers Days Celebration, celebrating when packers and pack trains, cowboys, cowgirls and wagon trains converged for western events and fun.
Blues Festivals, a Rodeo, Vintage Wheels show, an R&B Festival and other cultural events make for an enriching visit to Methow Valley.
The Methow Valley is also filled with great local drinking and dining establishments in Mazama, Winthrop and Twisp,” Elsworth says. “There are Farmers Markets, Museums, and Galleries to enjoy as well.”
Traveling to the region can be a bit tricky in the winter as Highway 20 closes from mid-November to mid-April (check website for current closures and conditions). However, the route, whether from Spokane or Western Washington is scenic and beautiful.
Lodging in Methow Valley ranges from campgrounds, inns, hostels (such as the North Cascades Mountain Hostel), to cabins, resorts, and bed and breakfasts.
“When people visit here they can expect the outdoors and open spaces will enrich their soul,” Smith says. “We operate on ‘Methow Time’ which means we take the time to enjoy one another and all that surrounds us. What visitors will not find is stoplights, traffic jams, chain stores or a fast-paced way of life. In most areas, cell phones will not work but digital cameras do, so take photos, relax and enjoy the experience of your choice.”
