Alternate Routes for Sun Mountain 2024 Runners
Below a list of possible alternate runs. Each of the runs can be made shorter or longer by either adding more nearby trails and or dirt roads, or doing the loop twice. Or all of the routes can be made shorter by cutting out certain sections or turning around sooner. We've included a little bit of details about each route including maps, GPX files, elevation profiles and where to park. All of these routes require you to self-navigate, there will be no course markings like in a race and no aid stations. You are on your own. Please obey any no trespassing or seasonal closure signs you might encounter and stay only on the open and public trails. For another great place to go to find trails in the Methow Valley that are open for running click here
For those of you hoping to run higher elevation trails... it's still early for running in the high country as there is still snow on the trails at and above 5000ft and maybe even as low as 4500ft in some places. Also those trails haven't been maintained yet this season.
For those of you hoping to run some of the more remote trails like Wolf Creek (possible high water crossing and partial trail washout), Cedar Creek(fire damage), Blue Buck(possibly unmaintained) or even Twisp River Trail(possible high water crossings and overgrown)or even Pipestone (rattlesnakes at this time of year in the canyon) we wouldn't recommend those at this time for various reasons. But if you're stubbornly wanting to do one of those we'd recommend checking with Forest Service office in Winthrop before trying any of those to see if they have recent trail condition reports.
Buck Mountain 14+ miler or Buck Rendezvous 50K+
This is one our favorite spring time trails in the Methow Valley. Lots of good single track, nice views and could still have lots of flowers. 2300ft of elevation gain. Or combine this loop with the Rendezvous Basin Loop and connect the two with some lightly used gravel forest service road for a 50K with 5300ft of gain click here for the route map for the 50K.
Be aware this trail could be popular with mountain bikes
Park at the trailhead on Cub Creek Rd (about 2 miles up from W. Chewuch Rd) More Info
For those of you hoping to run higher elevation trails... it's still early for running in the high country as there is still snow on the trails at and above 5000ft and maybe even as low as 4500ft in some places. Also those trails haven't been maintained yet this season.
For those of you hoping to run some of the more remote trails like Wolf Creek (possible high water crossing and partial trail washout), Cedar Creek(fire damage), Blue Buck(possibly unmaintained) or even Twisp River Trail(possible high water crossings and overgrown)or even Pipestone (rattlesnakes at this time of year in the canyon) we wouldn't recommend those at this time for various reasons. But if you're stubbornly wanting to do one of those we'd recommend checking with Forest Service office in Winthrop before trying any of those to see if they have recent trail condition reports.
Buck Mountain 14+ miler or Buck Rendezvous 50K+
This is one our favorite spring time trails in the Methow Valley. Lots of good single track, nice views and could still have lots of flowers. 2300ft of elevation gain. Or combine this loop with the Rendezvous Basin Loop and connect the two with some lightly used gravel forest service road for a 50K with 5300ft of gain click here for the route map for the 50K.
Be aware this trail could be popular with mountain bikes
Park at the trailhead on Cub Creek Rd (about 2 miles up from W. Chewuch Rd) More Info
GPS File
Download the .gpx file and load it into your favorite GPS app or watch.
Download the .gpx file and load it into your favorite GPS app or watch.
| Buck Mountain 14 Mile Loop GPX |
| Buck Rendezvous 50K GPS File |
Elevation Profile
Coal Creek 8 Mile Loop
This is one our favorite trails at Sun Mountain, especially at this time of year. And definitely the best one you can run while avoiding this year's race courses. Fun single track, great views and should still have lots of flowers. 1600ft of elevation gain in just 8 miles makes it one of the harder options. To make longer add one or more of the following trails: Meadowlark, Woodpecker, Bluejay, Upper Inside Passage, Ridge.
Be aware this trail could be popular with mountain bikes
To get to this trail please don't take the most direct driving routes from Winthrop as they'll take you on the roads used by the races. Instead take HWY 20 East to Twisp and turn right onto W. 2nd Ave/Twisp River Rd/NF-44 and go 8 miles and turn right onto Little Bridge Creek Rd/NF-4415 and go about 500ft and turn right onto Thompson Rd/NF-4410 and go 1.1 miles to a small turnout/unofficial camp site/unofficial trailhead for the Coal Creek Loop. Trailhead location on Google Map
This is one our favorite trails at Sun Mountain, especially at this time of year. And definitely the best one you can run while avoiding this year's race courses. Fun single track, great views and should still have lots of flowers. 1600ft of elevation gain in just 8 miles makes it one of the harder options. To make longer add one or more of the following trails: Meadowlark, Woodpecker, Bluejay, Upper Inside Passage, Ridge.
Be aware this trail could be popular with mountain bikes
To get to this trail please don't take the most direct driving routes from Winthrop as they'll take you on the roads used by the races. Instead take HWY 20 East to Twisp and turn right onto W. 2nd Ave/Twisp River Rd/NF-44 and go 8 miles and turn right onto Little Bridge Creek Rd/NF-4415 and go about 500ft and turn right onto Thompson Rd/NF-4410 and go 1.1 miles to a small turnout/unofficial camp site/unofficial trailhead for the Coal Creek Loop. Trailhead location on Google Map
GPS File
Download the .gpx file and load it into your favorite GPS app or watch.
Download the .gpx file and load it into your favorite GPS app or watch.
| Coal Creek 8 Mile Loop GPS File |
Mazama 18 Mile Loop
This is the easiest of the three options and the only one with a brewery at the trailhead. Mellow single track, great views and could still have lots of flowers. 930ft of elevation gain in 18 miles makes it pretty runnable and so do the smooth, wide trails. Lots of ways to add on to this route with going further east on the Methow Community Trail, Lunachik Trail, Lower Fawn Trail or further west on Doe Canyon Trail.
To get to this route head to Mazama and park at the main town trailhead by the Mazama Public House (the Mazama location of Old Schoolhouse Brewery).
This is the easiest of the three options and the only one with a brewery at the trailhead. Mellow single track, great views and could still have lots of flowers. 930ft of elevation gain in 18 miles makes it pretty runnable and so do the smooth, wide trails. Lots of ways to add on to this route with going further east on the Methow Community Trail, Lunachik Trail, Lower Fawn Trail or further west on Doe Canyon Trail.
To get to this route head to Mazama and park at the main town trailhead by the Mazama Public House (the Mazama location of Old Schoolhouse Brewery).
GPS File
Download the .gpx file and load it into your favorite GPS app or watch.
Download the .gpx file and load it into your favorite GPS app or watch.
| Mazama 18 Miler GPS File |
