Winthrop
Hikes
Winthrop Hikes
Winthrop is a popular hiking destination in Washington State, with an extensive trail network that extends from the town center up into the surrounding mountains. Winthrop is also an hour from Washington and Rainy Passes which lie just outside the North Cascades National Park Boundary and offer amazing and challenging alpine hikes. Nestled in eastern slopes of the Cascades, Winthrop receives less rain and more sun than Western Washington. Spring time offers amazing displays of wildflowers, while the fall provides an opportunity to see the Larches turn. Read below for some of the more popular Winthrop hikes, or use the map to explore hikes in the area.
Best Time To Hike
Hiking in Winthrop takes place during the three seasons of spring, summer and fall. In the winter months, Winthrop is typically covered in snow and the trail system around town is used for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Spring is a great time to hike around Winthrop with moderate temperatures and less cloud cover and rain than western Washington. The lower elevation trails around town melt out and quickly fill up with a wide variety of wildflowers like arrowleaf balsamroot, alpine lupine, and indian paintbrush.
Summer is the perfect time to head up into the high country near Winthrop. While Highway 20 typically opens in late Spring, trails like Cutthroat Lake, Maple Pass and Blue Lake aren't snow free until the summer months, and these higher elevation hikes provide respite from the hot summer temperatures. Fall is all about the larches, a species of conifer found on the eastern slopes of the Cascades whose needles turn bright yellow and amber color in the autumn before eventually falling off. And while snow may start to cover the higher peaks in early fall, the trails around Winthrop will typically stay snow free into October.
Popular Hikes
With so many trails available, it can be overwhelming to find the right hike in Winthrop. Have no fear, below are some of the more popular Wintrop hikes.
Patterson Mountain
Located only 15 minutes from downtown Winthrop, this moderately difficult hike clocks in at a little over 3.5 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation gain. This lollipop loop offers unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and you ascend. At the summit of Patterson Mountain, hikers are rewarded with a 360-degree panorama that includes the Methow River winding through the valley, the town of Winthrop nestled below, and peaks such as Goat Peak and the Sawtooth Range dominating the skyline.
Pipestone Canyon
Pipestone Canyon Loop, a 9 mile hike with 1,500ft of elevation gain is known for its striking geological formations and opportunities for wildlife viewing. From the trailhead you begin your trek into Pipestone Canyon ,immersed in a landscape dominated by towering basalt cliffs and rolling hills dotted with sagebrush and wildflowers, especially vibrant during the spring and early summer months. For the return, you climb onto the Rim which provides sweeping panoramic views of the Methow Valley and continue on past Campbell Lake until you reach Lester Road. Follow Lester and Campbell Lake Road back to your car.
Blue Lake
The Blue Lake hike is one of the gems of the North Cascades, renowned for its crystal-clear alpine lake and breathtaking mountain scenery. While other trails in the area have punishing vertical gains, Blue Lake is a moderate 4.5 mile round trip with 1,110 feet of elevation gain. Don't let the stats fool you, this hike has towering granite cliffs, rugged peaks, and subalpine meadows in addition to the beautiful lake, and one of the better Winthrop hikes! And in the fall, this is a popular place to view the larches turning their mesmerizing golden color.
Cutthroat Lake
For those looking for a family friendly hike that captures the splendors of the North Cascades, look no further than Cutthroat Lake. With elevation gain of less than 500 ft and a 3.5 mile round trip, the trail meanders gently uphill through the forest following Cutthroat Creek and it gradually opens up to reveal glimpses of the surrounding peaks. Those looking for a longer hike can continue up to Cutthroat Pass, but beware, the beautiful waters of Cutthroat Lake have been known to sabotage plans of proceeding further.
