Methow Valley Singletrack - 5 Day Guided Mountain Bike Trip

DAY 1

After meeting all our fellow riders we will load up the van and head to the Sun Mountain Trail System and the Chickadee Trailhead. After lunch, we will get started with a climb on the Climb It Change Trail. This smooth climb with gentle switchbacks will bring us to the Woodpecker Trail. Weaving in and out of the pines, we will get some great views of the Methow Valley on this lovely descent. Another short climb will bring us to Pete’s Dragon and more fun downhill! Here we will experience some fun and technical bits that will warm us up for the days ahead. At the bottom of Pete’s Dragon, we will connect to the Winthrop Trail and connect to our camp on some well earned cruisy trails. TOTAL MILEAGE: 14.5 miles

DAY 2

Today we will take a quick shuttle to Buck Mountain, our destination for the day. Starting with the Buck Up Trail, we will climb gently which is worth it for the views that we will get throughout our ride. Riding through aromatic sagebrush we will get incredible views of the Chewuch River and Methow valleys. Layers of mountains are also visible as we pedal along. The descent from the top is a super fun, rolling cross country trail through sunny grasslands as we make our way back into the pines. We will hop in the van to head back to our lake camp and another yummy dinner. TOTAL MILEAGE: 14 miles

DAY 3

After packing up our camp, we will head back to Sun Mountain via the Winthrop Trail. After five miles and 1000 feet of climbing we will be warmed up for the Rodeo Trail. A well deserved break from our climb, this nice, mostly flat trail through the dense forest will bring us to the Black Bear Trail. Here we weave through the trees on a fun, shaded descent leading to some great views of the Methow Valley. We’ll head back on a couple of trails to our lunch spot, which sets us up for our afternoon of riding. After fueling up, we will revisit the Climb It Change Trail which will bring us to the top of Thompson Ridge and a quick pedal to the More Cowbell Trail. Descending down into the Twisp River Valley we’ll hit some pavement as we make our way to our next campsite at the War Creek Campground. TOTAL MILEAGE: 25 miles

DAY 4

Today is our big day! Not only will we test our legs with 3200 feet of climbing but we will also have an alpine experience to rival the loftiest of mountains. After a shuttle to the Crater Lake Trailhead, we’ll get right to it with a 1000 foot climb over some technical and cliffy sections. Once at the Martin Creek Trail junction, a small reprieve from climbing is a welcome break. In a couple of miles we will be back to the task of our climbing project. The good news is that we will finish up the day’s climb half way through our ride. Most of us will need some breaks for both the legs and some refueling. And maybe a little walk to get to the top. But it is worth it!! Peaks, creeks and trees are seen in all directions. From the apex of our climb, our descent begins with more technical sections (don’t be afraid to walk a little) before we get to the final five miles. The consistent pitch of the Foggy Dew Trail is a delight for all! A few stops to shake out the hands and maneuver some rocky sections gets us down this super fun downhill stretch. We’ll shuttle back to camp for our last night together. TOTAL MILEAGE: 15 miles

DAY 5

After packing up camp, we will ride right from camp to the Twisp River Trail for an out and back ride. Riding through the forest we might get a peek at the river and the peaks of the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness, but mostly we will cruise along on a gentle climb underneath the forest canopy. One goal for the day is Scatter Creek which is about 8 miles out. The return ride is a great finale as we will now be trending downhill, with some fun sculpted twists and turns. Back at the trailhead, we will have our lunch before heading back to Wenatchee. TOTAL MILEAGE: 16 miles

Be sure to bring everything on this list. We have carefully developed this list to ensure your comfort on the tour regardless of the weather. If you are prepared for extreme weather, it is an adventure. If you are not prepared it can be a serious problem.We recommend the layering system, including a wicking or long underwear layer, an insulating layer and a weather barrier for wind and rain. This list reflects that philosophy. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be sure to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed!

HOW TO PACK: The bulk of your gear and clothing will ride in the Western Spirit support vehicle (preferably in a large duffle bag) and will not be accessible during the day.

For this trip, you will need a riding pack and optional day bag:

Your riding pack may be a hydration pack, but needs to carry 2-3 liters of water, rain gear, other warm clothing, and food for the day. You may be away from camp and the support vehicle all day and need to be self-sufficient.

A small day bag is optional and may be used to store things you’d rather not ride with, but would like to have access to during the day. This day-pack will remain with the support vehicle and may not be accessible, depending on the day.

WHAT WE PROVIDE: ✓ meals, snacks, water, electrolyte drinks, non-alcoholic drinks ✓ camp mugs, all kitchen and dining ware ✓ 1 cycling water bottle ✓ camp chairs ✓ solar showers ✓ sunscreen & bug spray ✓ bike stand and lube ✓ guides bring their own tools ✓ first aid kit with basic medications

BRINGING OR RENTING

• Bike (Our rentals come with flat pedals. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.)
• Helmet (gratis w/rental bike)
• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad

CYCLING CLOTHING

• cycling shoes
• 3 - 5 pair cycling shorts
• 3 - 5 cycling shirts
• long sleeve cycling shirt
• long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
• cycling socks
• windbreaker
• tights or leg warmers
• 2 pair cycling gloves (1 pair full length for warmth)
• rain jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
• rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
• warm layer (lightweight synthetic puffy jacket or long sleeve fleece shirt)
• sunglasses or other eye protection

CAMP CLOTHING

• camp shorts
• shirts
• warm socks
• long underwear, top and bottom (wicking layer, not cotton)
• 2 pair warm long pants
• long sleeve fleece or sweater
• pile or down jacket (insulating layer)
• warm gloves and hat
• brimmed hat or visor
• bathing suit (for solar showers on the trip and at the hotel before/after your trip)
• hiking shoes
• sandals
• rain gear to wear in camp

PERSONAL

• toiletries
• medication (daily and emergency)
• towel
• biodegradable soap
• wet-wipes
• flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries)
• sunglasses
• optional day bag
• stuff sacks or reusable grocery bags (or separate compartments for your dry bag
• cash for tipping guides: your guides work as a team and share all of their gratuities. A tip of 10-20% of the price of your trip given to either one of your guides when you return to civilization is a great way to say thanks for a job well done.

OPTIONAL

• camera, extra batteries
• binoculars
• alcoholic or any of your favorite beverages (your guides will pack these)
• books or maps
• we encourage you to turn your devices off, but if you cannot, please bring a way to charge them. We recommend a portable USB charger with 1-2 charges. Also, putting your phone on airplane mode to save power is recommended.

Driving Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington and lies on the western side of the Columbia River at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers. Wenatchee is approximately a 2 1/2 hour drive from Seattle, Olympia and Spokane.

Flying into Wenatchee, WA Airport Code: KEAT

Flying into Spokane International Airport Airport Code: GEG Driving time from Spokane Airport is 2 1/2 - 3 hours

TAXI SERVICE Apple City Taxi: 509-662-2126

It is a good idea to book your rooms in advance; here are a few recommendations:

Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel 509-662-1234, 800-716-6199 Free shuttle service to/from Pangborn Airport

Holiday Inn Express Hotel Wenatchee 509-663-6355, 888-465-4329

La Quinta Inn & Suites 509-664-6565, 800-753-3757

Red Lion Hotel 509-663-0711, 800-733-5466 Free shuttle service to/from Pangborn Airport

Cedars Inn 509-886-8000, 800-358-2074

Marriott Spring Hill Suites 509-667-2775, 888-287-9400

We love biking and traveling as much as you do! For over 30 years, we’ve been in the business of bike guiding and we’ve honed every little detail to give you the highest quality bike trip on the market. We’ve cherry-picked the best mountain bike trails and road rides so you can immerse yourself in the stunning landscape of the American West. We go the extra mile to make sure you have the most fun on your bike!

At Western Spirit, our staff is the heart of our company. Our guides love what they do, and are dedicated to providing you with a memorable vacation. Each of them has received extensive training in backcountry travel, cooking, natural history, and first aid, not to mention their cycling and mechanical skills. They are committed to helping people experience the outdoors and have a wealth of knowledge to share. Their attention to every detail leaves you free to enjoy the riding.

It’s our philosophy that everyone in our busy world needs to get outside more. We know it’s tough to squeeze it all in, but with Western Spirit we’re here to make it as easy as possible. Our friendly office staff is just a call away to help you find the perfect trip for you. We believe in getting away from it all, spending rejuvenating time in nature, and most of all, having a lot of fun!

The trip price includes food and drinks for the trip, guides, support vehicle, campsites, permits, and any entry fees into national parks and public lands.

Not included are: rental fees (bikes and camping gear), alcoholic beverages, gratuities for your guides, and applicable sales tax. If you would like to bring alcoholic beverages we will store them for you at the appropriate temperature.

Your total tour cost will include your trip fee, appropriate rental fees and applicable sales tax

We provide water, coffee, teas, electrolyte drinks, and assorted soft drinks. We cannot provide alcohol. You are welcome to bring your favorite alcoholic beverages and our guides will store them at the appropriate temperature. We’ll keep the beer cold while you’re out riding!

Yes! From lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day, we’ve got healthy and delicious food to fuel your fun. Food is one thing we take pretty seriously and we get rave reviews from our guests.

Our guides are amazing backcountry chefs and will prepare all your meals. All snacks are included. We’re sponsored by Clif Bar, and provide you with plentiful bars, snacks and electrolyte drinks. If you have specific favorite riding snacks, however, please bring them with you.

Yes, no problem! We are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions, and we do it frequently. Our guides are masters at making sure everyone is satisfied. Please let us know when you fill out your forms so our guides can accommodate you and your needs. It is good to be specific (e.g., vegetarian but prefer tempeh over tofu) to help the guides with meal planning.

We wish we could tell you exactly, but Mother Nature is quite unpredictable as you may know. Our trips are designed with the best weather in mind, and follow the seasons—desert trips in spring and fall, and mountain trips in the summer. By sticking to our packing list that we’ve designed for you, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes our way (bringing rain gear almost assures it won’t rain, right?).

Most of our permits allow us to take 13 guests and 2 guides, although many trips are smaller than our maximum allowed. Our Maze permit in Canyonlands National Park is more limited with only 7 guests and 2 guides to maintain the remote wilderness experience.

For mountain bikes, we use the Specialized Stumpjumper ST 29ers. For road bikes, we use the Specialized Diverge E5 Elite. All our rental bikes come with flat pedals, a helmet, and one water bottle cage. We provide the water bottle and all the bike repair gear.

If you’re renting a bike from us, you do not need to show up early. Please meet at the scheduled time and we will fit you to your rented bike then.

All Western Spirit rental bikes come with flat pedals. If you have clipless pedals (e.g., SPD, Crank Brothers, etc.), you’re welcome to bring them along with your shoes. We swap out pedals all the time!

The packing list will tell you how to pack, since it depends on which trip you are on. Overall, we use a 3-bag system:

Camping gear and personal items for camp (gets packed away in the morning and is inaccessible throughout the day), Small daypack (stays in vehicle and is accessible throughout the day, e.g., extra layers, prescription medications, extra snacks, etc.), Hydration pack you wear (all things you readily need, right there on your back). We recommend a 2-liter hydration system (e.g., Camelbak) to carry the things needed during the day (water, snacks, lunch, rain gear, extra layer, sunscreen, camera, etc.), and to easily hydrate without stopping.

Nope! We provide spare tubes (for 26”, 27.5” and 29” wheels), lube, tool kits, and pumps.

Certainly! If you bring camping gear, please bring a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. We’ll provide everything else you need. Don’t worry about the camp chairs—we bring those too!

Please make sure all your gear is in excellent, working condition before you head out on your trip. If you’re bringing your own bike, please make sure it has been tuned up and is in excellent riding condition before the trip.

Yes! We rent tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. Sleeping bags are thoroughly washed between trips. The following prices are for the whole trip:

2-person tent – $40 Sleeping bag – $35 Sleeping pad – $15 Total $90

We offer solar showers which are a nice way to rinse off and refresh yourself, but it is not enough water to take a full-fledge shower. The showers are not private, so please bring a swimsuit and your own towel. Showers are dependent on water resources, which may be restricted if it’s a hot desert trip. Some campsites have streams and lakes available for swimming. We also recommend wet-wipes to refresh after a fun day on the bike.

It’s not a glamorous topic, and we know this can be a subject of concern and embarrassment for some. We make it as easy and sanitary as possible! If we’re camping in designated campsites, we use the pit toilets available in the campgrounds. If we’re camping in the backcountry, we obey by the pack-it-in-pack-it-out rule. We set up a portable toilet lovingly called “the groover,” and put it in a private location with a stunning view. We provide a hand wash system for clean up.

Please join us! We get solo travelers all the time and going on a bike trip is a great way to meet like-minded people. Many of our guests end up as lifelong friends after a Western Spirit trip.