This ride combines two recently
resurrected trails and some Forest Service roads into one challenging
ride. At its high point on Pearrygin Peak, the ride features some
excellent views of the upper Methow Valley and surrounding peaks.
The ride down the Pearrygin Creek Trail can be exhilarating and somewhat
gripping depending on the rider's comfort level with sidehills.
To the Trailhead: From Winthrop
follow signs for Pearrygin Lake State Park. Instead of turning into
the entrance of the park continue straight onto the dirt road which
leads into the Methow Valley Wildlife Area. After the road turns
to dirt take the first left and follow it to Sullivan's Pond. This
is Forest Service Road #100. Sullivan's Pond is a marshy pond that
sits on a bench above the Valley right where the landscape turns
from open sage to forest. Park at any of the numerous pullouts near
the pond.
The Ride: Continue uphill
on Road #100 past the intersection with Road #200. Continue onto
Road #300 at the intersection with it. Follow this road all the
way to its end at the Trailhead for the Pearrygin Ridge Trail. Follow
the Pearrygin Ridge Trail for about 3 miles to Pearrygin Peak. This
is the turn around. (It is possible to continue on the Ridge trail
to Beaver Meadows and beyond, but this ride leaves that for another
day.) Head back down the trail to the trailhead at the end of Road
#300. Follow Road #300 for about half a mile to a left hand corner
with a stock watering tank on your right. Across the road from the
tank is the start of the Pearrygin Creek Trail. It should be marked
with a cairn or sign. Follow the trail to near its end in the creek
bottom. There are a pair of barbed wire gates near the end of the
trail. At this point a steep cattle trail leads up the hillside
to the right. Follow this cattle trail which will connect to jeep
tracks and other cow trails that will lead you back to Sullivan's
Pond and the start of the ride.
to
print this map, click here