The beauty of the Methow Valley is in the options: rafting, tubing, hiking, bouldering, microbrew swilling—it's all here. Base yourself in the town of Winthrop (pop. 393), at the Chewuch Inn and Cabins, and swing by Winthrop Mountain Sports (winthropmountainsports.com) for info and emergency gear needs. On Saturday, head 14 miles northwest to tiny Mazama and spend a couple of hours bouldering around Fun Rock, a series of crags just outside town. Then head 20 miles west, park at Rainy Pass, and hike the seven-mile Maple Pass loop trail, which puts you on a ridge overlooking the Cascades. Sunday is for floating down the Methow River (slowly, in a tube). Rent your tube and arrange a shuttle from Osprey River Adventures—they'll meet you at the put-in at River Run Inn and drive you back at day's end.
NEAREST AIRPORT: Seattle, 4.5 hours.
EXPENSE REPORT: Two nights in a cabin (chewuchinn.com): $270. Two tube rentals with shuttle (ospreyriveradventures.com): $50. Sandwich fixings from the Winthrop Red Apple Market (winthropredapple.com): $20. Pesto-chicken pizza dinner from East 20 Pizza in Winthrop (www.east20pizza.com): $24. Post-float splurge dinner of elk osso bucco, pappardelle, and a bottle of wine at the Arrowleaf Bistro in Winthrop (arrowleafbistro.com): $92. Total: $456
Comments