Auctions for the Loup
The Loup Loup Ski Education Foundation’s “Loop d’ Loup” fundraising silent auction is underway through Thursday (Nov. 3) at 9 .m.; live auction bidding begins on Thursday at 7 p.m. and will last about an hour. Silent and live auction items can be previewed by visiting https://skitheloup.com. The Loup has also extended its season pass sale to Nov. 8 – 13.
Comment period extended for scenic trail
The U.S. Forest Service is inviting public comment on the 1,200-mile Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, one of the nation’s newest scenic trails, and has extended the scoping comment deadline to Nov. 14.
The trail goes from the Continental Divide in Montana through Idaho to the Pacific Ocean in Washington. Most of the route is in place on existing roads or trails and is available for public use. In Okanogan County, the trail traverses the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Colville Reservation. The purpose of scoping is for the Forest Service to identify important issues and determine the extent of analysis necessary for an informed decision.
Information on the project is at www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52259. People can also contact project lead Becky Blanchard at becky.blanchard@usda.gov or (503) 808‑2449.
Fly Fishers Club
The next meeting of the Methow Valley Fly Fishers Club will be at Bear Creek Golf Course on Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the upstairs clubhouse. A club social starts at 6:15 p.m. followed by club business, Tips & Tactics, and a presentation by Charlie Snow of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, who will discuss the latest information on fisheries science in the Methow. Visitors are welcome. For information, call (509) 996‑8147.
Nordic Team registration
Registration for the 2022 – 23 ski season with the Methow Valley Nordic Team is open. Kids ages 6 – 18 can join to ski two or more days per week through the winter with experienced coaches, on trails across the Methow. Financial aid is available to help cover the costs of registration and equipment rentals. For more information and to register, go to www.methowvalleynordic.com/team-registration-22 – 23. Email Program Director Sam Naney for more information: sam@mvnsef.org.
Sno-Park permits
Washington Sno-Park permits are now on sale. The State Parks Winter Recreation Program manages over 120 recreation sites, or Sno-Parks, across the state. Parking at these sites requires special permits.
Seasonal or one-day Sno-Park permits can be purchased online at www.parks.wa.gov, or through a licensed vendor. In the Methow Valley, permits are available at Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies in Mazama; Hank’s Harvest Foods in Twisp; Methow Cycle & Sport, Pardners Mini Market and Winthrop Mountain Sports in Winthrop; and at Pearrygin Lake State Park. Snowmobilers also must register their snowmobiles through the Washington Department of Licensing.
A Discover Pass is not required at Sno-Parks, and the Sno-Park permit is still required on the 12 days a year when the Discover Pass is not required for parking on state lands. Sno-Park permits are required from Dec. 1 through April 30.
