 MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Mountain-biking on one of the many trails in the Methow Valley. |
Bike Winthrop
The Methow Valley, with western-themed Winthrop at the center of the activity, is a summer and early-fall mountain-biking mecca. It has an incredible range of trails and country roads spreading through the valley and into the surrounding mountains. There are mountain-bike routes for every level of ability. More Winthrop travel infoCutthroat Lake Surrounded by high, jagged peaks and talus slopes, this beautiful mountain lake makes an excellent destination. The trail to the lake is short and easy. Cedar Creek For skilled riders, the trail along Cedar Creek provides a good test, and the long, deep valley offers a scenic setting. Rader Creek It's a fun place to ride, none of the rides are too difficult and it's tough to get lost here, despite the hodgepodge of dirt roads, doubletracks and singletracks. Yellow Jacket Trail This is a short, easy afternoon ditty for the family. There are no difficult climbs or challenging trails here, just a nice jaunt to the Hough Homestead and back. Black Bear Trail With a nice mix of dirt roads and singletrack, short climbs and twisting descents, the Black Bear loop offers a fun ride without the exhaustion that comes with some of the other local rides. Starvation Mountain The dirt-road climb of this big ride is relentless. However, the descent — arguably the best in the Methow Valley — will keep you smiling. Lightning Creek A stout but very intermediate ride — not too long and without too much elevation gain, but lots of fun. Bear Mountain After climbing a series of dirt roads toward Loup Loup Summit, the trail — recently constructed with mountain bikers in mind — weaves down the north side of Bear Mountain. Pipestone Canyon One of the Methow Valley's best-known mountain-bike rides, this is a short but strenuous dirt-road climb followed by a beautiful trip through the rocky canyon. Twisp River Trail This route climbs up a gently graded paved road and then heads down a rocky singletrack to form a narrow loop. Eagle Lakes The real treat of this ride is that you can ride up to a place as stunningly beautiful as Eagle Lakes. Foggy Dew Epic The overwhelming, rugged beauty of the Sawtooth Range, stunning peaks, high lakes and yellow October larch against blue sky just might make this 26.8-mile ride worth it.  |
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