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Methow Valley Ranger District

Image of a hiker looking out over a mountain lake.

Trail Miles
1,101

Forests Involved

Local and international visitors alike love national forest trails that wind through the rural Methow Valley and pass through the Pasayten and Lake Chelan-Sawtooth designated Wilderness areas. This priority area includes over 150 miles of the Pacific Crest and Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trails. There are more than 1,000 miles of trails to enjoy, and views from towering alpine peaks to gentle river valleys. Right now, portions of the trail system are impassable to hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and motorized users due to blowdown from past catastrophic wildfires and recurring windstorms. With the priority area focus, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is working to match trail maintenance needs with the escalating interest and usage on the ground. The Forest is engaging with partners and volunteers and is committed to improving visitor safety, restoring access to public lands and cultivating a culture of stewardship.

Trail Maintenance Priority Area map (PDF - 1.5MB)

Highlights:

  • Despite large fires on the district in July leading to major closures in eastern Pasayten, the district was able to accomplish a lot of work in the central and northern Pasayten.
  • During the field season of 2021, the trail supervisor position was vacant. However, three crew leads, Allen Jircik, Colin Slade, and Ray Beaupre, assisted in filling the responsibility.
  • Thanks to the Dianne and Joe Hofbeck Pasayten Wilderness Trust, 5 seasonal trail employees and one assistant stock packer were able to be funded for 64.5 days. This team worked with 4 other crew members and an SCA intern to maintain Pasayten trails.
  • In mid-August our FS crew worked with our partner organization, the Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA) and reinstalled a handrail on a bridge that crosses the Pasayten River. They also cleared a section of the Tattoosh Buttes trail.

 

 Image of a person on horseback leading a string of pack animals.

Examples of Trail Maintenance Needs

  • Remove hazard trees and logs over the trail
  • Remove overgrown brush
  • Repair and replace drainage structures
  • Conduct general trail maintenance
  • Complete trail reconstruction and reroutes
  • Repair and install trail bridges, puncheon, and turnpikes
 Image of a person using a chainsaw to cut down a small tree.

 

Image of people hiking on a trail with backpacks. Image of trail workers standing with trail tools. Image of trail workers sitting on large freshly cut logs.
Our Partners: Methow Valley Trails Collaborative:
  • Back Country Horseman of Washington
  • Coulee Riders
  • Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance
  • Methow Trails
  • Methow Valley Snowmobile Association
  • Northwest Motorcycle Association
  • Northwest Youth Corps
  • Pacific Crest Trail Association
  • Pacific Northwest Trail Association
  • Pasayten Wilderness Trails Trust
  • Student Conservation Association
  • Washington Trails Association
  • Washington Conservation Corps

Agency Partners:

  • Pearrygin Lake State Park
  • US Forest Service- Methow Valley Ranger District
  • Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife - Methow Wildlife Area

Other Partners:

  • Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance
  • Loup Loup Ski Education Foundation
  • Methow Valley Backcountry Horsemen
  • Methow Valley Snowmobile Association
  • Methow Conservancy
  • Rendezvous Huts
  • Washington Trails Association
  • Winthrop Chamber of Commerce
Image of a person on horseback leading a group of pack animals.

Learn More & Get Involved!

To know more about trail maintenance efforts in this priority area, contact:

Rosemary Seifried, District Recreation Staff