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Tag Archives: MVSTA

Scenes from the Ski Trails

Here in the Methow Valley, we are lucky to have an extensive network of groomed cross country ski trails for both classic and skate skiing. Some are even open to dogs and new this year in a pilot program there will be ‘fat bikes’ on the trails. The 200k of trails cross public and private lands in a program run by MVSTA – Methow Valley Sports Trails Association. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to live here. I love skiing!

 

The Town Trailhead at Winthrop, start of the 30k Community Trail to Mazama.

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Watch out for big snow dumps from the trees!

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Luna displays her trail pass

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Skiing at Big Valley on Christmas day

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Ahhhhh.

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Come on you two, let’s go.

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Ok Luna

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A Northern Pygmy Owl overlooks the trail

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On the Suspension Bridge

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Ice on the bridge

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It doesn’t get much better than this.

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The sun goes down early in the upper valley

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Really? I can have this perfect trail to myself?

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A Fine Day for a Foot Race and a Parade

Today there were at least two noteworthy events in the Methow; well I’m quite sure there were more – I only got to these two!

MVSTA had its 32nd annual Sunflower Relay – a marathon lenth race that can be run by iron men and women OR teams of two to seven runners. I helped with bibs and at one of the aid stations. It was a fine morning to run from Mazama to Twisp through the forest and over the balsamroot covered hills! All the participants seemed happy and full of energy.

Later I stopped in Winthrop and took in the 49ers Days Parade. This parade features more horses than any other parade in Washington State. I think the numbers were a little down this year however there were MORE Roller Girls and I think maybe more bikes than usual.

It was a beautiful day to enjoy the Methow whatever activity a person was doing!

 

 The runners go through lots of dixie cups full of water and power aid.

 

This team dressed the part for the Sunflower Relay!

 

The Candy Man is a fixture in this parade. I’ve heard that his coat weighs over 30 pounds!

 

Here’s Julie leading a gang of young Methow bikers.

 

And the Methow Roller Girls gave demos of the sport of Roller Derby!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Skiing at its Best

Nothing better than a bluebird spring day for skiing.

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Spring Skiing

MVSTA said that today is probably the last day of grooming at Big Valley this season. Only one thing to do. Luna and I headed up valley to take advantage of the day.

 

The Methow River

 

Reflected trees

 

Love those curls. Next week, Luna gets a hair cut.

 

 

I discovered that the snow in the field was still firm enough for skiing so off we went. It was great – nearly effortless skate skiing.

 

This Week on the Community Trail

The freezing rain that coated the soft snow with a hard crust gave the trail groomers something good to work with. The ski trails had been soft and slow with all the new, cold, dry and powdery snow last week – good for classic skiing. The last couple days, they trails have been faster and more fun for skate skiing.

 

A thin layer of fog hugged the lowest trees as the sunlight climbed up the hillside

 

Ice coated everything, even the fence wire

Skate skiers

Great morning on the MVSTA Community Trail