Washington Cascades - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 322

Activities
The Winthrop area is famous for its cross-country ski trails, with the best network con-
gregated around Sun Mountain Lodge 10 miles to the west. During the summer months
the trails are given over to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. They range
from the 2.5-mile Sunnyside Loop , with jaw-dropping vistas of the North Cascades, to
the more adventurous Pete's Dragon , with its white-knuckle twists and turns. Horseback
riding around Beaver Pond and Patterson Lake is another popular summertime option.
You can rent bikes ($15/25/35 per two hours/four hours/day) from Sun Mountain Lodge;
helmets are included. Guided horseback treks go from $40 for 1½ hours or $85 for a
half-day.
Fishing for steelhead trout and chinook salmon is popular in the Methow River, but
anglers are required to use catch-and-release techniques for these endangered species.
Moccasin Lake , a mile-long hike from Patterson Lake Rd, has very good fly-fishing,
with rainbow trout averaging 3lb to 5lb.
Morning Glory Balloon Tours HOT-AIR BALLOONING
( 509-997-1700; www.balloonwinthrop.com ; 960 Hwy 20, Winthrop; adult/child $225/175)
Morning Glory operates serene early-morning balloon flights over the valley between
March and November. Flights last one hour.
Sleeping
Hotel Rio Vista HOTEL$
( 509-996-3535; www.hotelriovista.com ; 285 Riverside Ave; d $80-135; ) It looks plain at
first glance, but inside are big, comfy rooms with fine views over the fast-flowing Meth-
ow River, which races within pebble-skimming distance of each individual terrace. Enjoy
a riverside hot tub and magnificent Methow sunsets.
Duck Brand Hotel HOTEL$
( 509-996-2192; www.methownet.com/duck ; 248 Riverside Ave; s/d $69/79; ) An appari-
tion from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the Wild West-ified Duck Brand is not short
on character, offering old-fashioned, nearly tacky (floral bedspread, lace curtains etc)
lodge rooms with balconies overlooking downtown. It's perched above a popular cantina
slap-bang in the middle of the town.
Mt Gardener Inn INN$$$