The eastern side of the Cascades always provides diversity from the more densely populated and greener “west side.”
In the north-central part of Washington, diversity certainly describes high and wide Okanogan Country, which borders Canada, the Columbia River Basin and Lake Roosevelt, and the North Cascades.
A trip here is an eye-opener.
Far to the east, Okanogan Country includes Sherman Pass, the state’s highest maintained pass (5,575-foot elevation); the Pacific Northwest Trail which winds roughly parallel to the Canadian border; three wildlife areas; hundreds of trails and lakes; state parks, wildernesses and national forests, and the most-familiar area, the Methow Valley.
Pacific Northwest Trail
“Our basic philosophy is to stay high for the views,” said PNT acting executive director John Knechtel.
“The trail crosses a lot of mountain chains, goes along a lot of ridges, and through some of the most beautiful country, including the Pasayten Wilderness. Often there’s nothing between you and other mountains.”
The recently designated National Scenic Trail is the first to gain that title in 26 years. It’s a combination trail-and-road system that one day will be only connected trails.
The route description is enticing: The PNT crosses the Colville and Okanogan-Wenatchee national forests, goes from the Clackamas Mountains and over Bonaparte Mountain.
It continues through Eden Valley and Haley Canyon, west to the Whistler Canyon Trail and up the Smilkameen Valley. Eventually it crosses the Pasayten Wilderness to the crest of the North Cascades.
“Some stretches are on roads but the majority of it is on trails,” Knechtel said.
Hiking
 The Methow Valley has more miles of trails than any other section of Okanogan Country (including over 200 kilometers of cross-country ski trails in the winter). But if you’ve been tethered to the Methow Valley for years, head east to discover new trails.
Sherman Pass, on S.R. 20, is east of Republic. If you just want a short stretch off the highway, drive to the Kettle Range Campground for Sherman Pass Tie Trail 36. The half-mile-long path starts at 5,150-foot elevation and ends at 5,300 feet, goes through the woods and crosses three small streams.
Kettle Crest Trail 13 South is a 2.5-mile-long trail at Sherman Pass that’s easy in parts, climbing almost 1,000 feet to Sherman Peak before descending to 6,000 feet and going through the slowly recovering site of a 1988 forest fire.
If you’re looking for a real workout, tackle the Old Stage Trail (rated difficult) near Republic. It starts at 3,914 feet and reaches 6,050 feet 5.8 miles later. It’s the remaining segment of the first state highway in the state.
Mountain Biking
 Trail names are often indications of what’s ahead for mountain bikers: Angel’s Staircase, Starvation Mountain, Cutthroat Pass.
But some, like Pipestone Canyon a few miles southeast of the town of Winthrop, are gems that may not catch your attention on a map.
This is one of our favorite places in Okanogan Country because of the soaring walls about 1,000 feet above the canyon floor and the hoodoos (think Bryce Canyon) that top the pillars like turrets.
OK, so the popular trails (intermediate single-track loop, beginner dirt-road loop) run through rattlesnake country; just extra motivation for constant pedaling or caution when you take a break. Hikers can explore Pipestone in the spring and fall, avoiding the most active rattlers. Ride a section or do the full loops (14-mile single-track, 16-mile dirt road).
Other local routes:
Beginner: Goat Creek Trail Loop, six miles and flat, in and out of the woods.
Intermediate: Buck Mountain, 13-mile loop; many trails on Sun Mountain.
Advanced: Cutthroat Pass with a 2,300-foot climb to 6,800 feet and terrific North Cascades views.
Bike rentals are available in the Valley, including at Sun Mountain Lodge and Winthrop Mountain Sports. The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA) is a terrific resource.
On the Water
 Whether its whitewater or flatwater, kayaks or canoes, rafts or inner tubes, rivers or lakes, Class I or Class IV, Okanogan Country has many options.
From the Methow River to the Similkameen River to Lake Roosevelt, and all the lakes scattered about, paddlers can take kayaks, canoes and rafts and explore new places.
Running
If pounding feet is more your style, there’s a competitive opportunity: the 11-mile Cutthroat Classic Aug. 29, unless you are discouraged by rocks, stream crossings and avoiding hikers, llamas and horses.
Rainy Pass (4,800-foot elevation) is the starting line for the Classic. The route follows the Pacific Crest Trail on a gradual five-mile climb to Cutthroat Pass (6,800 feet). The descent is another four miles to Cutthroat Lake (think switchbacks and 5 – 10 percent grades)
down to the trailhead (4,500 foot).
For more information on the trails, outdoor activities and races, check with the MVSTA.
Sharon Wootton and Maggie Savage are freelancers and authors of “Off the Beaten Path: Washington.”
Okanogan Country Contacts
Helpful Web sites. www.okanogancountry.com, www.visitokanogan.com
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. (509) 826-3275.
Pacific Northwest Trail. (877) 854-9415; www.pnt.org.
Chambers, visitor centers. Winthrop (888) 463-8469; Twisp (509) 997-2926; Omak (509) 826-1880; Okanogan (509) 422-1880; Republic (509-775-2704).
Methow Valley Sport Trails Assoc. www.mvsta.com/summer |
