Great Hikes
Horseshoe Basin-Pasayten Wilderness |
Camping at Cutthroat Pass in the North Cascades |
The entire North Cascades offers awesome scenery. We enjoy llama packing in the Pasayten and
Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness areas as well as the North
Cascades Scenic Highway corridor. During spring and fall we take trips in the rivers and foothills
of the greater Methow Valley. Some of our most popular past llama treks are described below.
Follow
this link to a Wilderness tour in the Twisp Watershed...
Hart's Pass at Sunset
Hart's Pass and the Pacific Crest Trail. Located 45 minutes
west of Mazama, this high elevation pass and major trailhead for many starting
points into the central Pasayten and Canadian border country is spectacular
from the time you step out of your car. Numerous trails wander off along
high windswept ridges, subalpine parklands and passes with open views of
the Pacific Crest. With excellent campsites along the way, these trails
work well for those desiring shorter duration trips as well as full week
hikes north and south.
Louden Lake in Horseshoe Basin
|
Horseshoe Basin. This is a favorite destination for those who have
had the chance to hike and wander the Horseshoe Basin county's rolling
park-like meadows and high glaciated nunatak mountains. Straddling the
international border on the north, this area is the eastern Pasayten in
full glory. Wide expanses of meadows, wildflowers and other explorable
alpine terrain makes this area a natural for those wanting to basecamp
and day hike in any number of directions. Hikes are easy to moderate--six miles in
with the option of hiking west along the Boundary Trail. |
Boundary Trail. This beautiful trail system skirts the high
ridges and passes along the US/Canada border for over 100 miles along the
Pasayten's northern boundary. The Boundary Trail can be accessed from a variety
of trailheads north and east of Winthrop, Washington. Loop treks are possible that include
the spectacular Cathedral and Sheep Mountain areas.
Rainy Pass - Cutthroat Pass - Pacific Crest Trail. These trails are easy to
get to and perfect for shorter duration trips. This area is a mountain
scenery extravaganza. From the Pacific Crest Trail,
a five mile walk brings hikers into a world of granite spires, cirques
and Matterhorn-like peaks, all part of the colorful Golden Horn Batholith.
Watch for mountain goats, flowers and interesting geology as you scramble
and hike the open ridges with the top of the mountain views in all directions.
Billy Goat Trail - Corral Lake. This trail begins at the rugged Billy
Goat Trailhead northeast of Winthrop. Following this trail is a taste of the old
Pasayten. With stopping points all along and excellent campsites, a trip
along the Billy Goat Trail System could include a few days or all summer.
This highly varied, geologically interesting and highly scenic area has
it all if you have the time to enter the Pasayten along this magnificent
historic trail. Numerous lakes, high passes, canyons, subalpine meadows
and high glaciated peaks make this a hike that will leave you with unforgettable
memories.
North Creek - Twisp River area. This trail is a taste of the
Twisp River Area. A two-night llama trek up scenic North Creek to the high meadows and
lakes of the headwaters is a great way to see a very special corner of
the Chelan-Methow region. Great shear walls of the Golden Horn Granite
stand high above the tarns and lake below. Day hike up to the pass overlooking
Cedar Creek and Silverstar Mountain. Visit the lake for fishing or a swim
or simply relax in a true alpine paradise. |
Indian paintbrush |
Pack Trips are not being scheduled in 2008 while we reorganize.
