Ice fishing remains viable on local lakes, especially with colder temperatures expected this week. Make sure to maintain COVID-appropriate distancing.
By Ashley Lodato
Name a form of winter weather and we got it in the last week: snow, rain, sleet, wind, sun. A warm weekend turned many driveways and parking areas to sheer ice and resulted in difficult grooming conditions on Nordic and fat bike trails.
Sub-zero temperatures ahead will firm up the trails, but any punctures into the trail surface (for instance, from people running on trails that are intended for skiing, or fat bikers leaving deep impressions in soft trails) will be difficult to remove.
With the upcoming Presidents Day weekend, outdoor recreation is likely to be a shared experience, as residents and visitors alike flock to the same trailheads and venues for winter fun.Be patient, be respectful, and exercise COVID precautions when you are around others. Expect daily highs in the 20s, and overnight temperatures dropping into single digits.
Nordic skiing
A warm period followed by cooler temperatures created a fast skate platform and some potentially icy hills. Visit www.methowtrails.org/trail-report when planning your ski to find out where the best conditions are.
Some trails are dog-friendly; make sure you know which ones they are by visiting www.methowtrails.org/index.php/ski-trails-for-dogs. Trail passes are required for humans and canines.
The Nordic trails at South Summit are generally groomed for weekend use. Visit https://skitheloup.com/nordic-skiing for trail conditions and grooming updates. Parking passes are required.
Fat biking
On Sunday (Feb. 7) Methow Fatbike groomed all the Lloyd Ranch trails and the Westside Rex Derr, Highline and campground trails in Pearrygin Lake State Park. When trails firm up in the coming cold snap, grooming becomes difficult or impossible. Trails will need a couple hours of below freezing temps to set up after grooming so if you see a groomer out on a trail, please use other trails until that one sets back up.
When trails are soft, lower your tire pressures or choose other trails if necessary to avoid damaging the groomed surface. Helmets are strongly encouraged.
Methow Cycle & Sport provides the most comprehensive list of fat biking trails and conditions in the Methow Valley. Visit www.methowcyclesport.com/articles/fat-bike-trails-conditions-pg187.htm for more information and trail suggestions. Parking passes are required.
Snowshoeing
On what is likely to be a busy holiday weekend, snowshoeing is a way to find solitude. Strap those flotation contraptions onto your boots and venture out to explore new trails away from the crowds. Groomed snowshoe trails can be found on the Methow Trails system in Mazama, the Rendezvous, Winthrop and Sun Mountain. Check the website for conditions: www.methowtrails.org/trail-report. Trail passes are required.
Alpine skiing
Loup Loup Ski Bowl got a welcome 6 inches of fresh snow on Sunday morning, in a storm that glanced off the shoulder of the upper Methow Valley. In honor of Presidents Day week, the Loup will be open every day from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 12) through Sunday (Feb. 21), with tubing, quad chair, poma lift and rope tow options available. RV parking is unavailable on holiday weekends. The luge is sold out for the season; better jump on it earlier next year. The lodge cafeteria will be closed for the season; users should bring their own food or purchase from the Mountain Meals food cart onsite (weekends only). The day lodge is still under construction and is not yet open to the public. Equipment rentals are available onsite. Check https://skitheloup.com for info, updates and operating schedule.
Ice skating
The Winthrop rink will be operating on a holiday schedule for Presidents Day week, with numerous open skate and drop-in hockey sessions. Private rentals are available as well. Visit the website for schedules and rates. http://winthroprink.org.
Ice fishing remains viable on local lakes, especially with colder temperatures expected this week. Make sure to maintain COVID-appropriate distancing.
Ice fishing
A weekend report from Patterson Lake records 14 inches of ice thickness, although conditions vary in different locations. Both lakes are big and can absorb numerous parties in a COVID-friendly manner; just spread out and find your own spot. Need an ice fishing guide? Try Heavy Hitter Guide Service: www.facebook.com/HeavyHitterGuideService/community.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends 4 inches of ice for ice fishing and 9 inches for snowmobiling. Check these websites for more information about conditions and license requirements: https://okanogancountry.com/fishing–hunting-winter; https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/weekender/north-central.
Winter fly fishing
Those interested in honing the craft of winter fly fishing during Methow Whitefish season can do so with Methow Fishing Adventures: www.flyfishersproshop.com/blog/guiding.
Snowmobiling
The Methow Valley’s six Sno-Parks provide access to 175 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and connections to other areas of the region,The Methow Valley Snowmobile Association organizes group rides and reports on conditions; check their website and social media for conditions, grooming, event information, and trail use/management concerns: http://mvsnowmobile.blogspot.com; www.facebook.com/methowvalleysnowmobile.
Credit: Source link
