Cross-country Ski - Sun Mountain Trails

9:00 am Winthrop Town Trailhead and Rink (use upper parking lot). Details on how to find the meeting place will be e-mailed to those who register several days before the trip. 

We will carpool from there to the Chickadee Trailhead or Sun Mountain Lodge ready to ski about 9:30 am.

PLEASE DON'T REGISTER UNTIL YOU HAVE REVIEWED THE NOTES BELOW, YOU ARE SURE YOU ARE AVAILABLE AND THE MEETING TIME AND LOCATION WORK FOR YOU. THIS TRIP REQUIRES FINDING OVERNIGHT LODGING IN THE METHOW VALLEY. IT IS NOT DOABLE IN WINTER AS A DAY TRIP FROM THE SEATTLE AREA. See later for lodging suggestions.

If you are hoping for a ride to the Methow Valley you will have a better chance if you set your profile to "Open" and provide carpool information such as the area you live in and locations you can reach by transit to meet a driver.

 BY REGISTERING THIS LEADER CONSIDERS YOU MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE TRIP. It's only good form to cancel in the event of an injury, illness or an emergency. Even if there are people on the wait list it's often difficult to move them up close to the trip date. THANK YOU!

Ski Details: This is the faster and more difficult of two half day ski trips the Mountaineers will offer on Jan. 6: both from the same location. This one that I will lead will include some more difficult trails with short but quite steep hills and bends and we will travel at a moderate pace.

If you might prefer a slightly slower trip on easier trails please look for Linda Shewey’s trip on the same date. This will be posted from about Nov. 20. Contact Linda for more details: lshewey@comcast.net

Snow permitting, we will ski some of the excellent green and blue trails on the Sun Mountain trail system.

I envisage an approximately 9-mile loop including Little Wolf, Aqua Loop, Lower Fox and Beaver Pond. The trails should be well groomed with classic track and skate lane trails. There will be some small hills that will require a good wedge brake and wedge turn to descent and herringbone to ascend some sections.

A good standard of fitness and stamina is required. This trip is not suitable for first time Nordic skiers: even those with Alpine ski experience. Classic waxless skis preferred, but skating is also an option.

A Methow trail pass is required for everyone 18 years and older. This is $ 24.00 for an adult day trail pass or $60 for a three day pass available from sports outlets in Winthrop, Sun Mountain Lodge or Mazama. For details visit:

http://www.methowtrails.org/winter-trails/passes/

Anyone 17 years or under ski for free!

Guests (non members of the Mountaineers) as well as members are invited to sign up in advance for this trip. For visitors either call the Mountaineers Member Services on 206-521-6001 or visit www.mountaineers.org click on "join" on the top right hand corner, then select GUEST ADULT FREE and follow the steps.  

This trip is part of the Mountaineers Winter Trails Month. For full details of all activities visit:  www.mountaineers.org/methow-winter-2019

 LODGING: The Methow Valley is roughly 250 miles and 4 - 5 hours from Seattle. Make a weekend of it and stay in Winthrop or elsewhere in the Methow Valley on Jan. 5 & 6. There will be lots to do! It is up to each participant to find their own lodging.

The North Cascades Mountain Hostel provides friendly budget lodging in the center of Winthrop with a 10% discount for Mountaineers members. Visit their website to reserve a bed: www.northcascadesmountainhostel.com

Other Lodging:

Use these websites to find other lodging options in inns, B&B, cabins & houses in and close to Winthrop:

www.winthropwashington.com and

www.central reservations.net

Some lodging providers require 2-day minimum stay at weekends:

For the Saturday morning Jan. 5 there will be an opportunity to take either my or Linda Shewey's  day ski trips in the Mazama area (please register separately for one of these trips), book a lesson to improve your classic skiing or perhaps try a new ski activity like skating with one of the two ski schools in the Methow Valley at a special Winter Trails Weekend rate..

Contact the leader Chris Ensor for more information: ctrails@comcast.net