8.2 miles
Distance
2,051 ft
Climb
-429 ft
Descent
01:07:32
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of West Fork Methow Trail

  • USFS
    Land Manager

Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Winthrop
    , Washington
  • Ref Number
    #480
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue rate
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Global Ranking
    #101546 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #31035 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    40 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 95 in Hiking

Trail leaves the road about 1 mile west of the River Bend Campground. The trail follows the Methow River through an old 2003 burn area providing an interesting opportunity to see natural regeneration after a fire with more wild flowers, brush and wildlife. Many snags along the trail could come down in windy weather.

The trail passes through areas with avalanche slide chutes, brush and meadows for 8 miles to meet the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail serves as an alternate route to access the Pacific Crest Trail. (Note, biking on the PCT is not yet allowed).

Access Info

From Winthrop drive 15 miles west on Highway 20 to Lost River Road (county road 9140), drive 7.5 miles on Lost River Road to where paved road turns into gravel forest road . Turn right, then left at Mazama onto the Hart's Pass Road 5400. Drive 1.7 miles following the Methow River, passing Ballard Campground and staying to the left (rather than turning right on the switchback and following the main Hart’s Pass 5400 road uphill to the right) pass River Bend Campground on left and drive the rough road about 0.02 miles to the end of the road to Rattlesnake Trailhead.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for West Fork Methow Trail mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    1,622 ft
  • Altitude min
    2,677 ft
  • Altitude max
    4,299 ft
  • Altitude start
    2,677 ft
  • Altitude end
    4,299 ft
  • Grade
    3.751%
  • Grade max
    -26.488%
  • Grade min
    31.648%
  • Distance climb
    6 miles
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    1,637 ft
  • Avg time
    01:07:32
  • Avg reverse time
    01:22:15
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Jun 3, 2023
Ideal
Avg: 2 (2 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (49)
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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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      Directions to west-fork-methow-trail trailhead (48.651490, -120.562330)
      update trails status or condition

      West Fork Methow... Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Jun 3, 2023 @ 8:19pm
      Jun 3, 2023
      		 really nice scenery but completely brush filled after about 1/4 mile in
      Jul 18, 2022 @ 9:29pm
      Jul 18, 2022
      		 trail is clear of down to pct, brush is real bad especially after bridge which is out at 2.5mi in. Cannot recommend
      Aug 25, 2020 @ 2:07pm
      Aug 25, 2020
      		 The Methow Valley Ranger District sent out the trail crew on the West Fork Methow in August 2020. I was hoping it would become a rideable trail...
      Jun 28, 2019 @ 12:48am
      Jun 28, 2019
      		 The bridge is still washed out about 2.5 miles in. It’s also overgrown getting to that point, but still rideable. About 1/4 mile after the...
      Sep 4, 2017 @ 7:52pm
      Sep 4, 2017
      		 The first 2.5 miles to the second (washed out) bridge are nice and clear. After that blowdowns and horrendous brush. I turned around at about 4.5...
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 4 rides
      • 11 miles avg distance
      All
      • 16 rides
      • Last: Sep 1, 2024

      Photos

      more »
      121 |
      Mar 30, 2019 @ 9:58am
      Mar 30, 2019
      125 |
      Sep 5, 2017 @ 4:04pm
      Sep 5, 2017
      179 |
      Sep 23, 2016 @ 6:47pm
      Sep 23, 2016
      69 |
      Aug 29, 2020 @ 5:56pm
      Aug 29, 2020

      Trail Products

      1 Review & Comments


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