Riding here is generally non-technical, but overall there is some substantial climbing. Scenic views of Patterson Lake and Patterson Mountain views occur along Patterson Lake. Mountain and valle
Riding here is generally non-technical, but overall there is some substantial climbing. Scenic views of Patterson Lake and Patterson Mountain views occur along Patterson Lake. Mountain and valley views are spectacular along both Black Bear and Blue Jay trails.
These trails are generally readable from early May through mid-November. There are short muddy sections during and immediately following snowmelt. Trails are well maintained by Sun Mountain Lodge and the Methow Valley Chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.
How to Find It
The ride starts at the Chickadee Trailhead, located off Patterson Lake Road on the way to Sun Mountain Lodge. From Winthrop, find Patterson Lake Road (also known as White Avenue within the City Limits). Follow this road 8.5 miles to signs for Chicadee Trailhead and Thompson Ridge Road. Turn left into the parking area. You will start the ride in the northeast corner of the parking lot.
Typical Conditions
These trails are generally readable from early May through mid-November. There are short muddy sections during and immediately following snowmelt. Trails are well maintained by Sun Mountain Lodge and the Methow Valley Chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.
On most weekdays trail use is light. On holiday weekends use can be high.
Advocacy & Stewardship
Trails are on Okanogan National Forest, Private property owned by Sun Mountain Lodge, and Washington Department of Natural Resources. The Methow Valley Sports Trail Association maintains the roads and double tracks as nordic ski trails.
Turn by Turn
Use the Green Trails Map #83S - Sun Mountain for guidance.
All intersections on this route are marked with wooden signs displaying trail names. From Chickadee Parking, the ride starts by descending to Patterson Lake using Chickadee - Cabin - Patterson Lake trails.
It then climbs to Thompson Ridge using the following: Patterson Lake - Radar Creek - Lower Inside Passage - Meadowlark - Goshawk - Thompson Ridge Road
The route descends from Thompson Ridge on Upper Inside Passage/Pete's Dragon - Lower Inside Passage
It then takes Criss-Cross - Yellow Jacket - Homestead and Lower Fox to Blackbear.
From the east end of Blackbear, return to Chickadee using the Winthrop and Cabin trails.
