Pipestone Canyon, Washington, United States

3.5 (4 reviews) Spent Ranking #15 in Winthrop Biking Trails

Hoodoos. Great Lighting. And, area nicely recovered after 2014 fire

Pipestone is a challenge to find the first time, but well worth it. The valley floor offers an easy hike (out and back is best), or for more adventure, hike on the canyon rim, then descend and hike back up the valley. Flowers are amazing in season (April-June). Do watch out for rattlesnakes on the first warm days of spring. I nearly run over about 20 of them once on my mountain bike on a 75 F day in March. That said, nothing to be paranoid about. You do want to see nature don't you? Easy to avoid or go around them, since they're pretty docile early season, just waking up. Winter is a great time to ski or snowshoe in the Canyon. To ski, go right after a snowstorm for best conditions.

Address

Upper Bear Creek Road , Winthrop, Washington, United States.

Current local date and time now

Saturday, May 11, 2024, 9:41

User Ratings

3.5 based on (4 reviews)

Excellent
50%
Good
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Satisfactory
25%
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Terrible
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Reviews

  • 3Leighsscreenname 5:00 PM May 22, 2019
    Easy Hike or Mountain Bike Ride
    A perineal favorite, and not too far out of town. The trail goes gently downhill from the Winthrop side, through forest and then through open fields. The forest has a lot of fire damage from a few years ago, but is making a remarkable comeback. While there are a lot of dead trees, the fire was not a stand-replacing fire so the recovery is inspiring. Plus, the views of the "pipestone" rock are even better with a bit of vegetation out of the way.
  • 1Chris R 5:00 PM Jul 20, 2014
    This is not at Wake Island
    I just got back from Wake and there are definitely no canyons! This a coral atoll and the highest point on the island is maybe 10 feet.

See also