Starvation Mountain Loop
Key Info
(technical difficulty)
(physical difficulty)Stats
General
Check with Okanogan National Forest, Methow Ranger District (http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5371608) for trail conditions.
Ride season is generally late May to mid-November due to snow. Blowdown may be present in early season and following large windstorms.
This loop makes a great 23 mile loop through forested terrain, much of it near creeks advanced beginner and intermediate riders. Senic views of the Sawtooth Mountains occur in several locations. Much of the ride is on higher terrain above 4,000ft, making for a cool retreat from the heat of the Methow Valley. Start early in hot weather to complete the climb before mid-day.
Snowmelt is typically mid to late May. Beaver Meadow is muddy most of the snow-free season, while the rest of the trails are dry. On the Lightening Creek Trail, there is about 1 mile of sandy trail that can be soft during the summer and early fall. Some walking may be necessary.
The trails are managed by the Okanogan National Forest, Methow Ranger District. The Methow Valley Chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance assists with trail maintenance.
From Twisp take Hwy 20 east towards Loup Loup Pass and Omak. After 5.6 mi turn left onto Beaver Creek Rd. At 11.5 mi you reach Beaver Creek Campground and the Junction of Volstead Rd. and South Fork Beaver Creek Rd. Continue straight for about 0.3 mi. On the right will be a camping area. This is the Lightning Creek trailhead, the trail is located in the NE corner of the camping area.
Use Amazing Maps: Right Map - Methow Valley East Trails (MV-2) and/or Green Trails Maps 52, 53, 84, and 85.
Note GPX file derived from Forest Service topographic maps and aerial imagery. Ride based GPS files and mileages reported below will vary.
1.2 mi - Cross Beaver Creek and Blue Buck Mountain Trail #421. Bear right, #421 is the return route.
3.1 mi - Trail joins a fire road; 3.7 mi bear right onto FS Road 4230 and turn left onto small fire road at mile 3.9. (If you cross Lightning Creek you have gone too far.)
5.6 mi - Bear left onto FS Road 4235. Do not take the sharp left.
10.5 mi - Turn left onto Golden Stair Trail #354. This trail is variable, and includes fire breaks/road. You may continue on road for 0.1 mi to the top of Starvation Mountain.
11.9 mi - High point of 6,854ft. Bear right onto trail. Alternate is to stay on fire road to mile 12.9.
12.7 mi - Turn left onto Blue Buck Mountain Trail #421.
12.9 mi - Trail joins fire road.
14.1 mi - Turn left onto single track trail.
17.4 mi - Turn right in well used gravel road; turn left back onto single track in a few hundred feet.
22.5 mi - Junction with #425; turn left and finish ride at start point - mile 23.5
Ride Reports
We got a shuttle from the local taxi in Wintrop. I was $25-30 pre person with 10 people. They took us to the top of the Starvation Mountain and we rode 5 hours back to town. Trail finding from the top to Blue Buck Trail is pretty easy after you come out of the trail on ligthing creek at the camp...