Jack's

Jack's is a short, easy cross-country ski route in Washington's Methow Valley, set within the Methow Wildlife Area Complex and the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The land is managed by State Fish and Wildlife, and the route is an out-and-back of about 0.76 miles with a total climb of 82 feet, so it's a gentle outing for skiers looking to get on the snow close to town. The route sits at a low point of about 2,293 feet, rising to a high of about 2,313 feet. The steepest stretch comes early on, at about 0.07 miles in, with a grade of about 3 percent. The climb is small, and the route is easy to fit into a longer day on the trails around here. For the most comfortable conditions, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mazama show May highs around 68°F and September highs around 74°F, with July and August the warmest months at about 84°F. Winter is cold, with January highs near 29°F and lows around 16°F. Upper Jack's and Upper River Run are both about 0.3 miles away, and the Goat Wall climbing area is about 1.6 miles off. Early Winters Campground, about 2.8 miles away, is the closest place to camp.