Distance: 25 miles
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Elevation Gain: 5000 feet
Suggested Maps: Green Trails #115

This is THE Methow Valley Ride for the serious mountain biker. It requires fitness and an adaptive attitude. The loop reaches altitudes of 8000 feet so being prepared for varying weather anytime of the year is necessary. This is an all singletrack ride that takes a full day, but what a day it is.

To the Trailhead: From Winthrop, head south on Highway 20 through Twisp. At the junction with State Route 153 continue south on SR 153 toward Pateros and Wenatchee. Follow State Route 153 through Carlton and turn right onto the Gold Creek Road about four miles south of Carlton. Follow Gold Creek Road for about a mile and turn right on Forest Service Road #4340. Follow the signs to the Crater Creek Trailhead.

The Ride: Head up the Crater Creek Trail to its intersection with the Eagle Lake Trail. Bear left onto the Eagle Lake Trail and follow it to the Martin Creek Trail. Bear left onto the Martin Creek Trail and follow it all the way to Cooney Lake. From Cooney Lake take Trail #434 to the ridgeline above. At the ridgeline, take the trail to the right which leads to an 8000 foot ridgeline a little ways away. On a clear day you can see all the way to Mount Rainier from here. Continue from this ridgeline and descend the Angel's Staircase down to the Summit Trail. Turn right on the Summit Trail and follow it to the Boiling Lake Junction. Turn right and climb up past Boiling Lake and over Horsehead Pass. Continue following the trail down past Eagle Lakes and all the way back to the trailhead.