methowoutdoors.com

Monument Fire

methowoutdoors — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:00:40 +0000

Here are a few photos of the Monument Fire, which was sparked by lightning in early August. The Monument Fire is located up the Lost River near Mazama and is on a ridge south of Pistol Peaks. It is too dangerous to staff and was kept in check by retardant.

Photo above taken August 11.

Photo above shows how the fire has crept downhill August 19.

Photo of the Day

methowoutdoors — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:36:18 +0000

Photo taken from a ridge south of Buck Mountain, looking to the south.

Photo of the Day

methowoutdoors — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:35:40 +0000

An unknown lake (known to someone, just not me) in the Sawtooth Wilderness near Twisp.

Lookout Mountain #412

aana — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:07:46 +0000

Sunday’s destination was Lookout Mountain, a high point 4 miles southwest of Twisp that is home to a forest fire lookout. The trail begins at an elevation of 4,300 feet and climbs to the lookout at an elevation of 5,515 feet over a distance of about 1.3 miles. The beginning section of the trail climbs steadily through ponderosa pine and mistletoe infested Douglas-Fir. There are peek-a-boo shots of the surrounding Twisp River and Methow Valleys as you go up. Eventually the trail begins to switchback up the face of the mountain before reaching the top of the ridge. Just as the trail breaks over the ridge, Lookout Ridge Trail #423 heads off to the west towards Blackpine Lake up the Twisp River Valley. At this point, more impressive views begin to unfold with the Sawtooth Range to the west. From here it’s a short ridge walk up to the historic Lookout Mountain Lookout. The location was first established as a camp lookout; the present 25′ high structure was built in 1937. The lookout is only occupied infrequently during emergencies in the summer so don’t go expecting a tour of the place. We planned on picnicking at the helispot below the tower but hundreds of glass shards proved too much of a hazard to our toddling explorer. After enjoying some of the panoramic views, we ambled back down along the ridge in the vicinity of this beautiful snag for lunch and a short break before returning to the trailhead.

If you go: From Twisp take Okanogan County Road 9114 west 0.5 mile, turn left on County Road 1605 (Alder Creek Road). Continue on Forest Service Road 4400-200 to its end, about 4.2 miles. Multiple uses are allowed including hiking, horses, mountain bike and dirt bike. Lookout Mountain USGS Quad

Aspen Lake

aana — Sat, 24 May 2008 23:37:50 +0000

Located within the 5,600 acre Big Buck Wildlife Area, Aspen Lake makes a perfect quick outting during the spring season. This weekend, being Memorial Weekend, usually means tons of people at all the snow-free trails, but not here. We only met a handful of hikers and four people on horseback. The walk to the lake is a short distance from the Elbow Coulee road; it took our slow and wandering family about 30 minutes to get there. The trail consists of an old road that is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horses. The lake itself is fenced in from cattle, which were not out and about yet, but their calling cards (cow pies!) are everywhere. The balsamroot is in full bloom and the lupine is just getting started–both are carpeting the hillsides and are simply spectacular.

If you go:
Aspen Lake USGS Quad (trails.com)
WDFW Wildlife Areas and Access Points

Photo of the Day

aana — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:33:09 +0000

Here is one of two beautiful white ptarmigans spotted on a snowy hillside on Sunday during a trip up the North Cascades Highway behind the gate.

We have until Thursday!

methowoutdoors — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:27:20 +0000

Thursday is the big day, the day the North Cascades Highway opens. While the reopening of the pass is seen as a positive event for many people, for some of us it marks the end of a period of solitude and freedom from speeding cars. There is a golden time between the start of pass clearing activities to the opening day where people are free to walk, run, bike, and watch wildlife on the highway behind the closed gate. This time is a favorite of our family. We have rode our bikes, ran, pushed a stroller, or toted skis up the highway, soaking up the peacefulness before it vanishes, at least until the next year. Today we chose to push a stroller and carry skis a short distance to take advantage of some snow that is begining to dwindle away along the hillsides of the valley. While we had a few remarks about our interesting combination, it cannot compare with the motorcycle-pulling-a-man-on-a-bicycle combo we saw starting up the same time as us. What people won’t do to get to the snow this time of year…

somewhat spring skiing

methowoutdoors — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:27:20 +0000

Winter just doesn’t want to let go. Last weekend the valley received snow here and there. By Monday morning there was up to a few inches of new snow in some places. Three of us decided to test it out with a trip up to Loup Loup. Driving in, we noticed the snow was fairly wet and could make for more challenging skiing than Spring typically yields. We hiked strait up the hill under temperamental skies that showered snow on us one moment then sun the next. We then tentatively began making turns downhill through a couple of inches of thick and wet crud. It took a little work getting down, but we all had a good time laughing at ourselves, each other, and the wonderful conditions Mother Nature provided.

Hello Spring…I think?

methowoutdoors — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:27:26 +0000

Ahhh, the first day of Spring. The birds are comming back, the highway department is about to start work on clearing the pass, and I’ve seen the first Spring Beauties in bloom. And it snowed overnight, but only a skiff. Spring is coming and with it hopefully more frequent updates on the site. If you are interested in contributing, let us know!

Snow update

methowoutdoors — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:36:48 +0000

It’s snowing in the upper valley! There’s been a few inches of nice champagne powder so far. If you like playing in the fresh snow, today’s the day.