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West
Fork Methow Trail
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| Route
Information
Distance:
16 miles Roundtrip |
Current Condition: Thanks to the efforts of local volunteers this trail was cleared for the first 5 miles. The last 2-3 miles are still extremely brushy. Long pants, long sleeve shirt are highly recommended. 10-15 blowdowns also block the trail in a number of places. Still a very good ride. [07/20/09]
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This is a Methow Valley favorite. It is a great out and back single track that features very moderate elevation change. In fact, the last mile of the trail gains almost 500 feet, so if it is left off, the ride is 14 miles with only 1100 feet of gain. At it's end the trail intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail. No bikes are allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail. This is a great ride to combine on a weekend with one of the other Valley rides featuring more severe climbing. It gives the rider an easy day to look forward to after a more challenging ride. To the Trailhead: From Winthrop head west on Highway 20 to the Mazama turnoff (15 miles). Turn right and drive 1/8 mile to a T intersection. Turn left at the T onto Lost River Road. Follow Lost River Road until it becomes Forest Service Road #5400. Continue past Ballard Campground past the Hart's Pass turnoff. Follow the signs straight ahead past Riverbend Campground to to the West Fork of the Methow trailhead. The Ride: There is stretch of really shaley rock at one mile where the trail traverses a scree slope. Don't become discouraged, this is only about a mile long. The rest of the trail is very enjoyable. Eight miles from the trailhead the trail reaches the Pacific Crest Trail. Turn around and enjoy the ride back to the trailhead. |
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