Jack's

Jack's is a cross-country ski route in the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Washington, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is short and low, with a total round-trip distance of about 0.7 miles and a total elevation gain of about 105 feet, so it works well as a quick outing or a warm-up before heading farther into the backcountry. The route is an out-and-back, and the climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.18 miles in, where the grade reaches about 6%. The high point is about 2297 feet, and the low point is about 2259 feet, so the whole trip stays within a small range of elevation. For comfortable conditions, late spring and early fall are the sweet spots. 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, a longer cross-country ski route, lies about 0.4 miles away, and the Cassal Cutoff hike is a similar distance. Goat Wall, a climbing area, is about a mile off, and Early Winters Campground is about 1.6 miles away.