All there is to do right now in the Methow!

The early season skiing has been very good in the Rendezvous! We are also fortunate as there are so many other great activities to do during this time of year including: fat biking, ice skating, pond skating, hiking, snowshoeing and Christmas shopping of course!  Here's some scenes from the past week.

Tawlks-Foster Facelift

Tawlks-Foster Bridge Gets a Facelift

The Methow Valley’s beloved suspension bridge got a much needed facelift this past month.  Aging wooden towers that threatened the closure of the Tawlks-Foster Suspension Bridge in Mazama were replaced with high-grade, long lasting steel. Work on the upgrade took almost a month, but with little impact to trail users and just in time for skiing. 

“All the work was done by locals, from the engineering, inspections, removal and replacement of the legs, and primarily all local materials” shared Rob Seckinger, Trails Manager for MVSTA.  “This was an incredible effort, particularly by Jerry Palm and Palm Construction, to source the materials, provide the labor and complete the project at a level well beyond anyone’s expectations.”

The Tawlks-Foster bridge was built 19 years ago and is a critical link to the Methow Valley Community Trail. The bridge serves over 30,000 users annually which include skiers, walkers, hikers, bikers, horses, and even snowcats and snowmobiles for winter grooming operations. Solid wood beams gracefully shouldered thousands of trail users for years, however weather and time as well as limiting future maintenance costs necessitated the switch to steel.  “The aesthetics of the bridge have not changed that much but the longevity has been significantly extended,” said Seckinger.  “Most may not even notice the switch.”

Bridge repair and replacement is the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association’s largest trail expense. MVSTA maintains over 30 bridges throughout the trail system and will spend more than $500,000 in the next 10 years to keep those bridges open. The total cost of the Tawlks-Foster bridge project will be close to $84,000. Funding for this project comes from the sale of winter ski trail passes, private donations, a significant grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, and from Okanogan County hotel/motel tax funds. “This project and the trail system is a powerful example of many diverse community partners coming together to support a valued community resource that has literally helped support them,” shared James DeSalvo, Executive Director at MVSTA. “A project like this required strong support from the Forest Service, Okanogan County, RCO, local land owners, local businesses, and our trail users and I am thrilled to see everyone coming together to create an iconic legacy for all of us.” 

More photos of the project can be found here. 

Good article in Mountain Magazine

Mountain Magazine had a good article about the benefits to individuals and communities from Nordic skiing. We liked it a lot. Maybe you will too. You can read the article here.

Cutthroat Classic Photos

Congratulations to all the Cutthroat Classic runners. What a great day in the mountains!

Click here for photos from Mitchell Image.

High resolution photos for download and/or prints will be uploaded to mitchellimage.com by late afternoon Sunday.

RV for Sale

MVSTA's beloved race RV is FOR SALE.  
1977 Ford Yellowstone
$500
Runs strong!
Contact James or Rob at MVSTA if interested. 509-996-3287

2013 Sunflower Marathon Photos

Here are some great photos from Mitchell Image. To purchase full resolution downloads please contact Steve at mitchellimage.com
Thank you for joining us in the Methow Valley!

Sunflower Team Names

We love the creativity of the relay team names this was "Half Fast" from last year

The current list of relay teams for the 2013 Sunflower:

Zeus Lazers

Woznick

We Are Scientists

Waxing Moon

Walla Walla Winos

Valley Girls on the Run

Two Wolf Creekers

Triskarolodelphia

Tillepike

Tiger Claw

Thunder Wolves

Three Spuds

The Wilting Pansies

The Vandering Vikings

The Tanagers

The Summer Roadians

The Searchers

The Runamucks

The Rocks

The Queen Bee and Her  Mini-Me

The Procrastinators

The Bashers

Terrys Tumbling Tumbleweeds

Team Thompson

Team Simmons

Team Gription Gumption

Stoked Sisters

Steere Cheer

Spud Seekers

Sprinting Centipedes

Sprinkles McTurnips and the Crew

Spring Runnoff's

Spook Haven 5

Spokane Spinners

Son Runners

Sole Sisters

soft centers

Sloe Gin Fizz

Slight Girls

Slap Happy

Shaolin Runners

Seawall's Gang

Sea Gals

Salty Dogs

Salty

Ruth and Sarah!

Running to Cure Constipation

Running Rudesbees

Runaways Rock Jumpers

Runaways Lightspeed

Runaway Dirt-Trippers

Run4Beer

Run Ram Fam Run

Root Runners

Roadrunners

Racing Rabbits

Purple Pika/Green Walrus

Palmer's Pair

Older and Wiser

O'Grove

Off Like a Prom Dress Team #2

Off Like a Prom Dress Team #1

Not Fast but Fabulous!

Molasses Crew

mikebert and the mamas

Meladapted

Malt & Vine

Loving His Creation

Long Distance Relay-tionship

Loaded Steere's

Little Buddy 1

Lightning \L\""

Lawless

Land Cruisers

Kutscher

In a Relay-tionship. It's complicated.

Idiot Savants of Spiritual Energy

Icicle Angels

Ice Road Runners

I think I can

Hungry like the Wolf-Mother

HottieTottieswithNaughtyBodies

Horseradish!

Hodgepodge

Hil and Meg

HHRG Spurs

HHRG Sharp Shooters

HHRG Lassos

HHRG - Pat's Posse

Happy Campers Too

Happy Campers

Hamster Hounds

Grrrrrrr

Geezers

Gabe and His Babes

Friends-with-food

Friends with Friends-with-Food

E.A.R.S.

Dynamic Duo!

Don't let the Yeti catch you!

Der Town Dames

Dalley O'Parker

Curtis' Army

Collier's Pair

Chris Townsend

Chicks with Kicks

Cheetah Speedsters

Cheesetouch!

Cascade Runners

Carlton Cruisers

Can't Touch This

Canada 3

Canada 2

Canada 1

Brown hair

Born to Giver

BOND

Bod a Bing!

Bees Knees

Bavarian Babes

Bateau

Aloha Wannabes

All of Us and Ali

3 P's & an Odd

(B+G)2 Soap Box Derby

Sunflower Marathon and Relay- May 11

33rd Annual

Sunflower Marathon & Relay  

Saturday, May 11

Title Sponsor: Winthrop Mountain Sports 

Washington State’s most unique marathon is Saturday May 11, 2013 in the beautiful Methow Valley. This incredible 26.7 mile marathon is unique for a number of reasons. First, this trail marathon is run on both private and public lands, through forests, hillsides, ranchlands, and back roads. Second, the run starts in the town of Mazama, runs by the town of Winthrop, and ends in the town of Twisp, 26.7 miles down valley. Third, participants can chose to either individually run a full marathon or compete as a relay team. Team members can consist of children or adults. The relay segments are a variety of distances - a couple segments are perfect for young (or beginning) runners looking for a modest distance. And finally, the reason so many runners return year after year is because of the beautiful, blooming sunflowers. The trails are lined with the yellow and gold of balsam root sunflowers. The views are spectacular!  

Early registration through April 12 is $75 for marathoners and $45 per person for adult relay team members. Relay teams can consist of 2-5 members. Registration includes transportation, a race souvenir t-shirt, post race lunch, random prizes, and awards. Over 500 runners compete in this race each year making it the Methow Valley’s largest recreational event. The Sunflower is a perfect way to kick start your running season and celebrate the arrival of summer. All indications point to an early North Cascades Highway 20 opening making for easy access for racers from the west side of the state. Race registration prices increases after April 12 so secure your early registration now. Additional race information can be found on the MVSTA website.

The Sunflower Marathon and Relay is hosted by the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association. (MVSTA). MVSTA is the nation’s largest cross-country ski area and maintains the trail system in the summer months for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and horseback riding.  

Title Sponsorship for the Sunflower Relay is provided by Winthrop Mountain Sports. Winthrop Mountain Sports is located in downtown Winthrop and offers a complete selection of outdoor gear and apparel. 

Additional sponsors of the Sunflower Marathon and Relay include Backcountry Coffee, Blue Sky Real Estate, Central Reservations, Chewuch Inn, Freestone Inn, Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies, Methow Cycle and Sport, Nordic Ultratune, River’s Edge Resort, Rocking Horse Bakery, Smartwool and Sun Mountain Lodge. 

MVSTA Spring Grooming Schedule

We are happy to announce that skiers can count on a full schedule of cross-country ski grooming through March 10^th. Beyond that, we will groom as much as conditions, use, and expenses warrant. After March 10^th, selected grooming will occur in areas with the most snow.

The ability to groom typically tapers off from the Town Trailhead and lower valley trails first, with the Rendezvous and Sun Mountain groomed last because they hold snow longer. The most popular trails remain the priority for grooming and we will make that assessment each night.

Last year, we groomed into April for the first time in our organization’s history. This was primarily because the Methow Valley had the snow and many passionate skiers were still enjoying the trails. While it is expensive for us to groom late into the season, we do so to add value to the season pass skier’s investment and support community vitality. 

The spring skiing is fantastic and now there is one more reason to experience it. We invite spring skiers to enjoy the incredible conditions right now while also securing trail access for next season.

When skiers purchase a 2013-2014 season ski pass now, at next season’s early season price, the pass will also allow you to ski the remainder of the 2013 ski season for FREE!

Early season pass prices for the 2013-2014 season is just $275. A skier needs to ski just 13 times to cover the cost of the pass; and those 13 outings could all even happen this spring!

To obtain a season pass stop by the MVSTA office at 309 Riverside Avenue in downtown Winthrop or call MVSTA at 509-996-3287.

Doggy Dash Photos

Another year of HUGE crowds and very funny characters at the annual Doggy Dash.
This year a new comer takes the BEST IN SHOW winning the coveted golden poodle.
Here are some photos from the event.

Methow Valley Pursuit Photos

Photos from the Methow Valley Pursuit are available here.

High resolution versions of these photos are available for purchase from Mitchellimage.com.

Enjoy!

Fat Bikes in Winthrop

Here's some scenes from fat bikes on the trails today, Sunday January 20th.

Methow Valley Fat Bike Trails are open

Many of our MVSTA fat bike trails are open as well at the trails at our local wildlife area and state park.  Check the MVSTA grooming report daily for conditions and know the fat bike conditions of use.
This photo is of our very own MVSTA groomer Ed Stockard on the Gunn Ranch trail on New Year's Day. Photo courtesy of his wife Torre Stockard.