The Past, Present, and Future of the Loup Loup Trail System in our Methow Chapter
Over the past decade, the Loup Loup trail system in the Okanogan has evolved into a growing network of purpose-built singletrack shaped by local trail builders, volunteers, and a long-term community vision.
Origins of the Loup Loup Trail System
The beginnings of the Loup Loup Trail System date back to 2011, when Joe Brown, previous Methow Chapter President and co-owner of Methow Cycle and Sport, promoted an XC mountain bike race in the area that linked together a variety of scattered trails. At the time, the Bear Mountain and Middle Fork Beaver Creek trails were popular among mountain bikers, but they held limited long-term relevance because they were isolated from other riding opportunities in the area.
In 2015, the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance Methow Chapter received an RCO planning grant to begin developing an interconnected, multi-use trail system designed to serve a wide variety of user groups. The Loup Loup Trail System is uniquely situated between the Methow Valley and the Okanogan Valley, with the Loup Loup Ski Bowl at the heart of the project. For decades, the ski area has served as an important winter gathering place connecting the two communities.
The Methow and Okanogan valleys each have distinct identities and economies. The Methow Valley is more recreation-based, while the Okanogan Valley has deeper roots in agriculture and trades. A major goal of the trail system has always been to create a shared recreational asset that serves both communities.
Building a Shared Vision
The importance of this vision became even more apparent when the Loup Loup Ski Bowl was unable to open during the 2025 winter season due to a lack of snow — the first time this had happened in over 50 years. One of the long-term goals of the trail project is to help ensure the ski area remains relevant and economically sustainable during non-winter months, while also bringing new visitors and tourism revenue to the region.
The permitting process for the trail system took nearly six years. Throughout that time, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Methow Valley Ranger District worked closely with the Methow Chapter to navigate a highly complex planning process. The project area exists within an active working forest where many different uses overlap, including open range cattle grazing, logging operations, hunting, ski area operations, and the North Summit Horse Camp. From the beginning, the goal was to thoughtfully balance these interests while minimizing user conflicts wherever possible.
Early Trail Development
In 2021, the first new trail segment — Fonzie Bear Inventions — was completed. This three-quarter-mile black diamond technical descent connected the summit of Bear Mountain to the popular Bear Mountain Trail. Around the same time, the Telemark Trail, an older user-built trail in the area, was rehabilitated to provide a nearly two-mile descent back toward the ski area.
Since then, the Methow Chapter has added more than 16 miles of trail to the system, with plans to construct an additional four miles in 2027. The trail system has also begun hosting larger regional events that bring new visitors and economic activity to the area. The system hosted the Washington Student Cycling League championships, which brought more than 400 middle and high school student athletes and their families to the region. The event demonstrated the growing reputation of the Loup Loup Trail System as a destination for youth cycling, recreation, and outdoor community events.
Expanding the Riding Experience
One of the most significant additions came in 2024 with the construction of Oso Peligroso, a blue technical descending trail. This project became especially meaningful to the community because much of the middle two miles was hand-built, with large sections roughed in by volunteers. The terrain was exceptionally challenging, featuring steep side slopes, rock features, and multiple creek crossings. In many ways, Oso Peligroso became a proving ground for the broader vision of the trail system — demonstrating not only the technical ambition of the project, but also the growing community investment and pride surrounding the trails.
In 2025, the Methow Chapter completed another black diamond descending trail known as “Oh Bother.” The trail’s three distinct segments — technical descending, flow, and raw progressive terrain — have quickly made it a favorite among riders in the area. The trail showcases the diversity of riding experiences the system is beginning to offer, appealing to both advanced riders seeking technical challenge and riders looking for a more dynamic, modern trail experience.
Work at Loup Loup is still ongoing, with Methow Chapter trail builders and volunteers continuing to shape the future of the system. More than 16 miles have been completed to date, with approximately 35 miles of singletrack planned in total.
Check out this article by Singletracks.
Time to Ride
To celebrate the continued growth of the Loup Loup trail system, we're hosting Loupin’ at the Loup on June 27th, 2026 — a full day dedicated to riding, community, and the future of the trails. The event gives riders a chance to experience the expanding network on Bear Mountain as well, featuring rolling trails through lupine fields, technical descents, and sweeping North Cascades views.
Loupin’ at the Loup will feature bike demos from Evil Bikes, Transition Bikes, and Pivot Cycles (including e-bikes!), along with guided rides, food and beer, raffle prizes, and more. The event is also an opportunity for riders to connect with the Methow Chapter trail crew, learn more about the project, and support the final phases of trail construction at Loup Loup.
