Methow Trails and the Methow Trails Collaborative invite you to a unique 2-day trail party in which we strive to re-open the gloriously scenic, high-alpine trail that leads to Burch Mountain and the Pasyaten Wilderness.
SATURDAY, JULY 22 AND SUNDAY JULY 23 are the weekend dates in which we would love to gather as many people as we can muster to join us in clearing the trail, doing brush work, and signing this 5.5 mile route. If you can join us for one day or two please
sign up here or send Jon an email at jon@methowtrails.org and we will send you more details. Camping options will be available at the trailhead. Let's make it a full weekend party!
The Burch Mountain trail has been closed since the 2014 fire. With your help, and the commitment of other local, partner trail organizations in the Methow, we will assist the Forest Service in re-opening this 5.5 mile, incredibly scenic trail to hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers and equestrians.
If you've never been on this trail here are just a few reasons why you would love to be involved:
- Views, Views, and more views. This is a high alpine trail with views that rival Maple Pass, Cutthroat, Blue Lake, Easy Pass and Angels Staircase to name a few.
- This trail (FS#518) provides one of the easiest access points to the Pasayten Wilderness. In just 5.5 miles you reach the Wilderness boundary with access to 831 square miles of wilderness.
- This trail is open to all non-motorized trail uses, hiking, mountain biking, trail running and horseback riding.
- The high point of the trail at Burch Mountain is 7,782 feet. (1000 feet higher than Cutthroat Pass).
- The high altitude of both the trailhead and the summit make it a great choice on a hot summer day.
- The trailhead is exactly 20 miles from Winthrop on a paved forest service road the whole way.
- No parking pass is required at the trailhead.
Please join us. When this trail is once again open, the Methow Valley will have another signature, high alpine wonder to delight every trail user! Without your help this trail will likely remained closed.
If you can join us for one day or two please sign up
here or send Jon an email at jon@methowtrails.org and we will send you more details.
Volunteers who join us will find cooler temperatures, stunning views and fun community of outdoor recreationalists. Join us for one day or two.
The Methow Trails Collaborative formed in 2016 with a goal of opening and maintaining trails by joining forces for a more efficient and collaborative process.
The Methow Trails Collaborative includes the Methow Valley Ranger District, Methow Trails, Evergreen Mountain Bike Assoication, the Methow Valley Backcountry Horsemen, Methow Snowmobile Association, Washington Trails Association, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Rendezvous Huts, guides and outfitters, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, trail running, dirt biking and ATV clubs.
Additional details:
We plan on meeting up at the trailhead at the end of the Falls Creek road (see directions below) at 8am on Saturday and will start with an introduction, photo and safety briefing but we will keep this very short. The road is quite passable now and getting more work tomorrow to clear some of the debris from the blacktop. Bring any tread tools you have like McLeods, Rogue Hoes, Pulaskis, and we will also be supplying tools for those who need/want them. If you are interested in carpooling or even caravanning to the Falls Creek Trailhead you can meet at the Red Barn in Winthrop at 6:45 and leave by 7am. It’s about an hour up to the trailhead.
Bring a lunch for each day and we will have some trail snacks as well. Bring a water bottle and water treatment depending on how much water you can carry, we'll have plenty of water at the trailhead. Bring a backpack, gloves, sunscreen and clothes that you are OK getting sooty.
Our plan is to work a full day on Saturday returning to the trailhead for a BBQ dinner after a dip in the creek. We will have several BBQ grills and enough Bratts or chicken. We'll also have condiments and utensils and some drink options including water and some beer. If you are planning on staying through dinner, please contribute a side dish to this potluck meal, we'll have coolers to put things in if that's an issue. There is camping at the trailhead and you are welcome to stay there Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Sunday will be much like Saturday as far as trailwork and we'll try to get to the summit of Burch Mountain. There will surely be plenty to still do on this trail after our efforts but with many hands we should make significant progress.
To get to the Trailhead go up the West Chewuch Road 10 Miles from Winthrop and turn Left on to the Falls Creek Road (USFS #5140). This is the second major left after the East and West Chewuch roads come together. Stay on the paved road 10 miles until you get to the trailhead at the end.
We look forward to working with you, thank you again for your support of trails
Posts
