A Winter Trip To Winthrop, WA – Must Hike Must Eat

Nothing to date in 2026 has gone as deliberate, it’s apparent that it’ll be a yr of simply rolling with it.

Again in November, I made plans to knock an extended desired journey off my bucket record: a visit to Stehekin within the winter. I dreamed of a snowy arrival on the boat up the lake, plodding up the one highway by city on snowshoes through the day and gazing out at a wintery mountain scene from the balcony of my cabin on the Touchdown. That they had a Black Friday sale and I purchased sufficient nights to remain the week of mid-winter break this February.

Then the record-breaking flooding occurred in mid-December and Stehekin suffered disastrous slides, together with taking out the brand new water system for the Touchdown.

From www.yoursourceone.com

Nicely, okay.

I anxiously waited to listen to if repairs could be made in time for my journey in February however mid-January I acquired the dreaded name that my reservations had been cancelled. They hoped to be open in March if I needed to reschedule on the identical worth however that didn’t assist me for mid-winter break. I wanted a Plan B.

How about one other journey on my bucket record with a go to to Winthrop and Mazama through the winter? Possibly some fats biking and a category on Nordic snowboarding? I booked a couple of nights there and some within the state park in Spokane for some winter climbing (one other bucket record merchandise). Possibly go to a knitting pal and time it with their weekly knit evening?

A traditional go to to Winthrop for me is a part of a Cascade Loop weekend drive within the fall when SR 20 is open over Washington and Wet Cross. However within the winter it means an out-and-back drive, usually over SR 2 and Stevens Cross and up SR 97. That flooding I discussed? It additionally closed SR 2 between the go and Leavenworth that means one must drive round by way of I-90 and Snoqualmie Cross. I had the entire week off, so why not maintain my plans to go to the east aspect like I did in 2021?

Per week later I knocked myself off my bike and broke a couple of bones in my wrist. Alrighty then.

I spent the subsequent 3+ weeks deciding what to do as I handled taking good care of therapeutic. I did cancel the reservations in Spokane as a result of I knew that might be an excessive amount of driving with one hand however simply couldn’t deliver myself to cancel Winthrop. After which they introduced they’d have SR 2 open by mid-February! Wasn’t {that a} signal I shouldn’t simply sit at dwelling wallowing in FOMO for my trip?

On the final minute after an appointment with the ortho who stated I used to be therapeutic okay and the announcement of SR 2’s opening on February twelfth, I booked an evening at an inexpensive lodge in Wenatchee for the fifteenth and drove over the evening earlier than my Winthrop reservations, reducing my drive in half. This additionally allowed me to make the journey over the go with an optimum climate window.

I didn’t do a lot in Wenatchee however stroll from the lodge to Wenatchee Valley Brewing (the Thai restaurant I initially set out for turned out to not be open though the hours on the door stated it ought to have been). I ordered a spinach salad and watched Olympic bob sledding of their outside seating. The salad was not outstanding however fairly plentiful so even with leftovers in a to-go field, I used to be full as I walked again to the lodge. I’m a sucker for bacon and bleu cheese, even when it from Costco.

I settled into mattress at an inexpensive hour in anticipation of tomorrow’s drive. What was I going to do in Winthrop with just one good wing? Just about attempt to not slip and fall. Possibly eat some good meals and expertise a little bit of winter since we actually weren’t getting it on my aspect of the mountains?

Let’s see what number of flat and not-too-icy hikes I can get in whereas I’m out.

Daroga State Park

The subsequent morning I left Wenatchee with a Dutch Bros decaf espresso and the sunshine snow falling down, already feeling like winter was on my aspect. I took Sr 97 on the east aspect of the Columbia River, stopping on the entrance to Daroga State Park only for the views. The snow was probably not sticking and made for a tranquil scene.

Chelan Falls Park

After Daroga, I turned off 97 briefly to make a cease at Chelan Falls Park. It provided a large, paved path with a seaside on one finish and a rocky viewpoint on the different. The snow made all the things extra inviting than it could usually be on a gray February day.

Beebe Springs Wildlife Nature Space

My subsequent cease was a highway aspect pure space that provided a good toilet. In my analysis on Washington Trails Affiliation Hike Finder map, Beebe Springs Wildlife Pure Space was purported to be seasonally closed however as I approached, the gate was open so I pulled in to test it out. The kiosk confirmed there have been a couple of loops I may do sticking by the river that might keep away from the elevation acquire on the opposite aspect of 97.

I opted for a stroll up the Columbia River, taking the Discovery and North Spur Loops.

Winthrop, WA

After Beebe, I arrived in Winthrop about 3 hours earlier than I may verify into my cabin so I went over to Methow Valley Cider Home to take a seat and knit for some time. They’ve completely different homeowners since I first began visiting right here and it isn’t fairly the cider draw it was (possibly one home cider and the remaining are extra mass produced) however the hen enchiladas had been very tasty and it was a quiet sufficient strategy to spend the afternoon. I contemplated a salad however everybody else within the room was ordering the hen enchiladas in order that appeared like the neatest factor to do.

No regrets.

Pine Close to RV Park

After lunch, I made my manner over to my cabin at Pine Close to RV Park only one road up from the principle drag of Winthrop. We’ve got stayed right here a couple of instances, this being the second time in a cabin. The place is low key, much more within the winter. The wild turkeys had been the one ones out to greet me…

I known as the proprietor who was simply leaving Wenatchee herself to search out out I may head as much as the cabin, she was glad to listen to I used to be aware of the place issues had been.

They’ve 3 rustic “mining” cabins that relaxation up on the hill behind the principle workplace, I’d be staying in #1 which sits in entrance overlooking the park.

You’ll be able to see the principle workplace the place the bogs are beneath on the left of the image.

There’s a fridge and microwave not pictured.

It took a number of journeys to get all the things within the cabin after which I made use of the lavatory earlier than settling in for a night of Netflix (on my iPad) and knitting.

The subsequent morning I woke to blue skies and was out the door by 8am to see what adventures I may discover for the day. Leaving the RV park, I used to be excited by the views down into the valley.

View from Citadel Street above Winthrop.

After a cease at The Little Dipper Cafe for a scorching cup of espresso, I walked up Riverside Ave to a bridge on the Sateekhwa Path over Chewuch River close to River’s Edge Resort.

Can the morning get any higher than this view?

The path is meant to proceed on the opposite aspect for about .25 miles so I crossed the bridge to test it out however after I noticed the sheet of ice over the trail I made a decision it was not price placing my spikes on for that wanting a distance and I rotated.

From right here, I walked again by city the place nothing was open but however laughed on the signal within the outfitters window. Sure, it has been a tragic winter certainly.

Susie Stephens Path

On the southeast finish of city, I crossed Spring Creek Bridge and started a stroll on the Susie Stephens Path. Susie Stephens was a well-loved bike owner and transportation activist who tragically died in a pedestrian accident. There are a number of Japanese Washington trails named in her honor now, together with one in Spokane.

The views simply stored getting higher…

The paved path snaked its manner by the southeast part of city, previous the ice skating rink, library and recreation middle.

No must penguin at present however it didn’t harm to bear in mind.

The path was largely barren of snow however there have been a couple of patches within the shade the place I wanted to be additional cautious. With so little snow, I used to be not feeling quite a lot of FOMO at not having the ability to fats bike as deliberate.

As I approached the place the path ends at SR 20 close to the grocery retailer, I seen a spur that led as much as extra path choices. Why not? There was extra snow protection however it was stable and crunchy so I turned to see how far I’d get and nonetheless really feel comfy.

TWIN Path

The path was labeled as TWIN and it did a loop up and round a big car parking zone for the Methow Trails system. A brief 1.1 km on largely grass and gravel, it was a pleasant extension to my stroll.

Geared in direction of the littles, the native library had additionally put in a ebook stroll alongside the loop.

The loop additionally related with the part of the path system that provides newbie mountain bikers some simple traces to work on their abilities. I used to be a bit unhappy right here that I wasn’t in a position to have that journey on this journey.

There have been a number of pockets of ice on the path however the worst was the place it crossed over the highway close to the car parking zone. I needed to keep on the aspect of the highway with snow till I may get round to the opposite aspect. No slipping for me, thanks!

On the best way again on the Susie Stephens Path, clouds started to roll in and I knew the blue skies had been quick lived. However did this imply the potential for snow??

Homestream Park

At Twin Lakes Street close to the skating rink car parking zone, I took a jog and crossed SR 20 to go to the Homestream Park. I’ve pushed previous right here so many instances on my manner by Winthrop however by no means stopped so this appeared like the right time to test it out.

The land that’s now Homestream Park was as soon as an overgrown, privately owned lot close to downtown Winthrop. In 2017, longtime native residents Phil and Cathy Davis bought the property with a robust imaginative and prescient: to revive it as an area for public river entry, ecological renewal, and cultural recognition. They named it Homestream Park to honor the salmon that return every year to their natal waters—and to honor the Methow Folks, who stay rooted on this homeland.

The small park provided a number of curiosity areas, all designed to deliver consciousness to each the historical past of the land and its folks and present efforts to revive it to its rightful state.

Homestream additionally featured the art work of a member of the Colville Federated Tribes, Virgil “Smoker” Marchand who was extensively recognized for his distinctive metal sculptures.

They dropped at life the reality of the individuals who have handed by this land and are nonetheless current at present.

It was additionally doable to face on the river’s edge and watch the icy water circulation silently alongside. Close by poetry added context to the visible magnificence.

Fainting Goat

Crossing again over SR 20, I seen a cute little restaurant named Fainting Goat and determined it was a good time for a chew to eat.

I indulged in a steamy cup of London Fog and noshed on a toasty gluten free waffle whereas watching the day turn into a bit extra hazy.

After brunch, I headed again up by downtown and to the cabin to calm down for a short time earlier than heading again out once more. Did I point out the temperatures in a single day had been within the twenties? This was one of many causes I had opted to get a cabin over automobile tenting. I rescued my water bottle from the automobile solely to be reminded of precisely how chilly it was through the wee hours of the evening.

In doing my analysis on hikes in Winthrop, I got here throughout one which was actually down the road from my cabin! With a pole in a single hand and spikes in my backpack, I headed out down Citadel Avenue after which turned up onto Wister to the trailhead about half a mile away.

It was good to see a bit little bit of blue in what’s a pink a part of the state.

Meadowlark Pure Space Path

The Meadowlark Pure Space began out in a really muddy car parking zone subsequent to the cemetery however rapidly took me up on the hillside above Winthrop. With just one automobile within the car parking zone, I knew I wouldn’t see very many individuals except additionally they had hiked up from city.

It was fairly the blessing to have the ability to see the city from this attitude whereas I used to be on the town, the path closes in March to guard the mating of the native mule deer.

The mule deer had been munching on the uncovered grasses, unaware of the March window for privateness.

The clouds had been ominously crowding out the solar from earlier within the day and precipitation seemed sure as I crossed over the terrain on the high of the loop path.

Previous journey reviews had warned of mud and it was in abundance as I fastidiously made my manner again all the way down to the trailhead.

All in all my trek was rather less than 3 miles and I used to be again to the cabin by 3:30pm. I settled in for a bit audio ebook and knitting however about 45 minutes later I seen that there have been snowflakes hitting the window!

Wahoooo, winter was right here! I suppose I higher get out for dinner if I’m going…

Jupiter Cafe

Winthrop presents a couple of institutions with gluten free choices on the menu, Jupiter Cafe was one which peaked my curiosity so I attentively took a brief lower by the open museum throughout from the RV park and down into city after which up wooded steps of the restaurant. This may increasingly have been a bit sketchy however who couldn’t use a bit adrenaline earlier than dinner?

From their web site:

A novel Winthrop eatery providing wholesome, globally-inspired consolation meals. Overlook the standard; uncover a lunch and dinner menu with plenty of vegetarian choices, gluten-free and vegan delights, morning pastries, espresso drinks, kombucha, and wine. Order on the counter, choose your excellent seat, and allow us to deliver your meal to you.

The menu had a number of tasty gluten free choices however I made a decision on the one which appeared like consolation meals: the BBQ Pork Fries with pickled cabbage and pink onion. The tangy greens with the creamy garlic aioli was heavenly.

After a stunning meal watching the blizzard onto the patio because the sky darkened, it was time to enterprise out and again to the cabin. I used to be in a position to gingerly step throughout the deck and down the steps to the road beneath with out incident.

I didn’t wish to go away the snow too quickly so I crossed the road and visited Confluence Park, a tiny pocket space off the sidewalk that seemed out on the confluence of the Methow and Chewuch rivers. So peaceable…

Then it was again up the hill to my cabin for the evening. Does it get any extra romantic than this?

I awoke Wednesday morning to brilliant skies and snowy roads. I didn’t wish to go away however a climate window was opening that afternoon over the go and I needed to make it so I begrudgingly packed up and labored on defrosting the automobile. After a fast cease on the town for espresso, I used to be slowly making my manner again down SR 20 in direction of the junction with 97. The roads had been plowed and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than I used to be again to reveal pavement.

Chelan Gorge Path

For my journey dwelling, I took the 97A different that heads towards Chelan and Wenatchee on the west aspect of the Columbia River. This may permit me to hit a couple of completely different hikes (or wanders) that I’ve been that means to cease at for some time now.

The primary one was the Chelan Gorge Path. Once I was right here to hike the Chelan Butte Path in 2023, I seen some hikers weren’t heading up however down alongside a large path from the car parking zone.

The solar was warming the day up from the morning’s low within the 20s and melting a good quantity of the sunshine snow dusting from the evening earlier than. The path ran alongside the highway at first and I may gaze up at Chelan Butte with its frosted summit. From right here there are a number of path choices and bikes are welcome.

I caught with the vast gravel path that dropped all the way down to a viewpoint over Chelan River Gorge and ultimately ending on the river’s edge. I liked how this path presents you with a special aspect of Chelan than only a stroll on the streets downtown.

I had secretly hoped that there could be a degree close to the top the place I may lower up on a highway I may see on GAIA however it was signed for personal property so I retraced my steps. My stroll was 2.4 miles and took me lower than an hour. The sunshine felt great on my pores and skin!

Wildland Firefighter Memorial Stroll

The drive from Chelan on 97A took me by the small city of Entiat and I made time for one final cease earlier than the ultimate push dwelling. In case you have pushed it, you already know it’s arduous to overlook the towering fireplace lookout on the aspect of the highway. Seems there’s a small community of trails you possibly can stroll to be taught extra concerning the wildfire historical past of the realm!

After parking within the empty lot subsequent to a closed customer middle, I first strolled the loop that makes up the Wildland Firefighter Memorial Stroll. It was a such significant manner for the misplaced firefighters to be remembered and made me consider how my hubby as soon as fought fires in Colorado when his years after faculty.

Columbia Breaks Fireplace Heart

The memorial is part of the Columbia Breaks Fireplace Heart which has a small path system that extends studying with interactive shows about fireplace habits and plant ecosystems. There are three lookouts onsite, in addition to an amphitheater.

The Path of Fireplace and Forest which loops the property seemed out at Badger Mountain and its rocky face earlier than taking me to the bottom of the Chelan Butte lookout.

The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed lookout as soon as stood atop Chelan Butte however was moved and erected right here in 1996 in efforts to protect it.

I ended on the second lookout, East Flattop, which sits at floor degree subsequent to the customer middle however for some cause I didn’t take an image. You’ll be able to examine that one right here. I additionally didn’t have time to take the Badger Mountain Path to the third lookout, I suppose I should cease right here once more on a future journey. After this, it was continuous again by Wenatchee, Leavenworth and over the go to get dwelling about 3 hours later. My strolling meant I did have a little bit of snow whereas driving over the summit however nothing too sketchy. One other profitable journey!

This turned out to be longer put up than I anticipated so should you made it to the top you’re a rockstar. I totally loved this journey and plan to do it once more when I’m all healed and may get in some winter sports activities. Have you ever been to Winthrop within the winter time? Do you’ve got a favourite winter sport?