Bring your boots THE VALLEY’S HIKING OPTIONS WILL TAKE YOU DOWN MANY TRAILS

BY ASHLEY LODATO

The Methow Valley is a hiker’s paradise, with its proximity to some of the most beautiful hikes on the planet.

Unfortunately for those who seek a solitary experience, alone time in the mountains is getting harder to find, as the most popular — and photogenic — hikes are seeing unprecedented foot traffic. By avoiding hikes like Maple Pass and Blue Lake on weekends, you can avoid some of the crowds.

In the Methow Valley, you can find a wide variety of outdoor gear at Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies in Mazama, and Winthrop Mountain Sports, Cascades Outdoor Store and The Outdoorsman in Winthrop. The Do It Center in Twisp and Ace Hardware in Winthrop also stock some camping gear.

The lower trails and lakes in the North Cascades are often snowfree by June, but the snow in the higher country doesn’t melt until July most years — and that will probably be the case in 2023 due to the solid snowpack. Plan your trip accordingly, or you’ll find yourself undertaking some pretty rugged travel on trails that may be difficult to locate. Make sure you have proper permits, passes, and parking, information for your desired destination as well (see page 28).

■ C ROWD CONTROL

With increased use of trails and recreation sites, getting away from it all grows increasingly difficult, especially on some of the most popular trails near Washington Pass, where you’ll find parking lots full and cars lining both sides of the North Cascades Highway for a mile or more on either side of the trailheads. Try scheduling your trip for mid-week, if possible. And if you get to a trailhead and the parking lot is full, go elsewhere.

■ HUM AN WASTE

It’s irresponsible to dispose of human waste improperly, especially as recreational use of popular areas increases, as it has been steadily doing for decades. And yet nary a popular hike exists without at least one visible stash of unburied human waste and/or toilet paper.

At backcountry campsites, you may find a modern, clean, regularly-maintained outhouse, a ramshackle privy, or a “wet willy,” which is basically a box-like platform with a seat over a hole. In sites equipped with facilities — no matter how rustic — you need to use the established hole. Stand up if you must.

If you don’t find an established toilet, you’ll need to dig a cat hole. Follow “Leave No Trace” regulations: 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter (using the U-Dig-It or other sturdy trowel you had the foresight to pack, because it’s virtually impossible to get down 6-8 inches using only a sharp stick or the heel of your boot).

A FEW GOOD CHOICES ■ DAY HIKES (ONE-WAY MILES FROM SHORTEST TO LONGEST)

• Slate Peak: The ¼-mile hike to Slate Peak gets you up to 7,400 feet elevation and provides a glimpse into the rich mining history of the area around the turn of t he 20th century. Drive to the end of the Harts Pass road (which can often be quite rough) and hike from the gate.

• Falls Creek: Another short hike to a stunning view is the ¼-mile walk to Falls Creek Falls, out the West Chewuch Road. Park at Falls Creek Trailhead. Very kid-friendly. Early season.

• Twisp Ponds: A 1-mile loop winds through restored riparian areas, native vegetation, interpretive signage, and several significant public art pieces. Park at the Twisp Ponds site just outside Twisp on Twisp River Road. Very kid-friendly. Early season.

• Rainy Lake: Hiking doesn’t get any easier than the 1-mile walk on a paved, level path with interpretive signs and resting benches, ending at a sparkling alpine lake. Park at the Rainy Pass Trailhead. Very kid-friendly. If the parking lot is full — and it often will be on weekends — go elsewhere.

• Tawlks-Foster Suspension

Bridge: The flat 1-mile trail to the Suspension Bridge brings you to a picnic shelter and some interpretive signs by the river. Park at the Suspension Bridge Trailhead along Goat Creek Road in Mazama. Very kid-friendly.

• Lone Fir Loop: Kids love the 2-mile loop around Early Winters

Creek at Lone Fir Campground. With its shady glades and fun bridges, the trail is interesting and surprising. Park at Lone Fir Campground. Very kid-friendly. Early season.

• Meadowlark Natural Area: Situated on a bench overlooking Winthrop, the Meadowlark Natural Area features 2.5 miles of trail t hrough shrub-steppe terrain and provides critical mule deer winter range as well as important habitat for songbirds, small mammals, and raptors. Dogs on leash only. Very kid-friendly. Early season.

• Patterson Mountain: The 3-mile loop around Patterson Mountain is one of the first snow-free hikes in the valley and is lush with wildflowers in the late spring. Park at the state boat access on Patterson Lake Road. An artistic surprise awaits you on top. Early season.

• Lake Ann: Lake Ann is just 1.9 miles from the parking area, but it gets you into what feels like the heart of the mountains — a sparkling lake in a granite cirque. Park at the Rainy Pass Trailhead. Very kid-friendly. If the parking lot is full — and it often will be on weekends — go elsewhere.

• Lookout Mountain: Lookout Mountain in Twisp loses its sn ow early, making it a favorite spring hike. Panoramic views and a historic wildfire lookout make this 2-mile hike a worthwhile one. From Twisp River R oad, turn left on Rd 1605 and connect with Forest Service Rd 4400-200 to the parking area at the end. Early season.

• Cutthroat Lake: Another alpine lake worth visiting is Cutthroat Lake, although it is marshier than Blue Lake or Lake Ann. The 2-mile trail into the lake is easy; moms have even been seen pushing baby joggers along it. Park at the Cutthroat Lake Trailhead. Very kid-friendly. Early season.

• Blue Lake: The 2.2-mile hike into Blue Lake has some elevation gain but rewards the hiker w ith the opportunity to dip in its turquoise waters. Park at the Blue Lake Trailhead. If the parking lot is full — and it often will be on weekends — go elsewhere.

• Goat Peak: Goat Peak is popular for its panoramic views of the North Cascades but also for its fire tower on the summit. The 2.5-mile hike is strenuous and is dry in the late summer. From Goat Creek Road, take Forest Rd #52, then #5225, and then to the end of #5225-200 to the parking area.

• Maple Pass: The 7-mile Maple Pass loop is probably the most popular day hike in the area, and for good reason, but it has been severely over-crowded in recent summers. On most summer and fall days it is the antithesis of a solitary backcountry experience. If you get to the trailhead and it’s full, go elsewhere; you don’t want to be on this hike with that many people.

• Easy Pass: The 3.5-mile hike up Easy Pass is anything but, as you climb up 3,000 feet fairly relentlessly. Emerge into the talus above treeline and the views are breathtaking, as the trail crisscrosses an avalanche fan under the soaring peaks of Ragged Ridge before entering the larch-covered lush Easy Pass saddle. Park at the Easy Pass Trailhead.

■ OVERNIGHT TRIPS (ONE-WAY MILES FROM SHORTEST TO LONGEST)

• Tiffany Lake: The 1-mile trail into Tiffany Lake brings you to a level campsite with swimming and exploration opportunities, with wildflower-carpeted Tiffany Mountain looming above. From the campsite you can travel more lightly on side trips to the saddle above the lake or to Tiffany’s summit. Park at the Tiffany Lake Trailhead. Directions are complicated; get a Forest Service map. Very kid-friendly. Early season.

• Windy Pass: The 3.5-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to Windy Pass lacks significant elevation gain or loss, so you can travel through meadows and larch stands at a brisk clip before reaching your camping destination at the pass. Drive the Harts Pass Road almost to the end, parking in the small area that gives access to the PCT. Very kid-friendly.

• Black Lake: Hiking into Black Lake with a backpack is appealing due to its limited elevation gain and loss. In August, the 4.5-mile trail is lined with raspberries and blueberries as well. There are campsites on both ends of the lake. From the West Chewuch

Road, take Rd #51, the #5160-100 to the road end and trail #500. Early season.

• Stehekin: Huh? Yes, that’s right, you can hike from the Methow Valley to this tiny boatand-plane-access-only community at the end of Lake Chelan.

T he hike starts at Bridge Creek and drops you gradually into the confluence with the Stehekin River 18 miles later. From there you can take a National Park Service shuttle into Stehekin and either boat out to Chelan the next day if you’ve arranged a pickup, or turn around and hike back to your car at Bridge Creek via McAlester Pass. Two reservable campsites along the PCT provide the opportunity to break the 18-miles up i nto two days. Park at the Bridge Creek Trailhead.