Exploring Mazama trails

Well, if scenery, easy skate skiing, and solitude are your thing, then check out the Mazama trails where Highway 20 deadends in the wintertime. There's even a couple warming huts out there, and a place to get hot chocolate at the end of your ski! Cath and I got the tip from our new Spokane skiing buds Beth and Sharon - who shared their enthusiasm for the trails over drinks the night before. They were right. Jack's Trail, River Run Trail, and the others were pretty much perfect. The weather and the snow were great. The only hitch was that the snow under the trees could sometimes get a bit messy with fallen twigs and stuff, or even clumps of ice that you might trip on. But not a big deal at all. Also, we learned that it pays to know which way the wind is blowing before heading out. If the wind is blowing down the valley (which I suspect it usually is), then go counter-clockwise around Jack's trail. That way you are both going with the wind and down a gentle slope in an exposed part of the valley, which is really fun. But if you're going up the hill while fighting the wind (which we did on the first lap), it is more of a slog for that particular stretch. There's a rustic place called Basecamp not far from the trailhead that rents cabins and rooms. They also have a little counter to sell beverages and snacks to the skiers. A nice spot to recoup.


We had very nice dinner that night with our new friends Dave & Jean at their cool new place in Timberline Meadows in Mazama. They rent it out most of the time. Just contact Timberline and ask for their place. You will love it. Great view, comfortable, nice kitchen and everything.