Secret stashes, exploration, solitude, and more

{Moderator's Note: this thread began as a simple request for some general information on tours in the Mazama/Twisp area, but has evolved into a broad discussion on trip reports, guidebooks, secret stashes, exploration, solitude, and related topics, so I have changed the original title of the thread to reflect this. --Charles}<br><br><br>Does anyone care to share some ideas for some day tours near the Methow or Twisp Rivers? ÊA washed out section of SR 20 has the road closed earlier than normal (it's closed at Early Winters Campground as far as I know) so this eliminates Silver Star/Delancy Ridge. ÊI'm planning to spend a few days in the area with my girlfriend to do some skiing. ÊWe don't have use of a snowmobile or helicopter. ÊHow difficult is access? ÊWe're not super hard core, but could do a few consecutive 4000 ft days.<br><br>I'm not asking for anyone's secret stash as I know these things are carefully guarded. ÊPerhaps a fairly well known place or a simple nod in the right direction. ÊIf you'd like to point out the secret stash I'd be of course be grateful and promise to guard it as my own Ê

Fawn Peak and Sandy Butte are two scenic tours that will each keep you busy for a long day. Also check out Buck Mountain near the Cub Creek trailhead.

here's another vote for sandy butte. it's apparently a cattle drive, and it's even marked with nice little signs on the trees, i guess for orientation-challenged shepherds plenty of trees so not much to worry avy-wise. the heli tour folks are said to take clients up there in the snowcat if conditions are too bad for flying.

I'm hesitant to suggest a tour I haven't done but what the heck, I'm intrigued by this tour- right off of Twisp River Rd. you can gain, via logging road, Canyon Creek Ridge. This ridge climbs forever to Three A.M. Mountain.<br><br>Description is found in Sally Portman's book.<br><br>Have a great time w/ your friend in a very special place.

I love secret stash puzzles. Here is a nice map of this past summers XXXXXXXX . The TR describes a 3000' climb from the road to a X000' col, which puts the start around X000' on Highway XXXXX. We must be on the north side of the highway (XXXXXX  XXXXXX) since the descent is described as sun-affected (south-facing). The cirque must be north-facing since all the cirques in the area are. Looking at the XXXX map the only real candidate seems to be the head of XXXXXXX creek, below The Xxxxxxx because that is the only cirque the XXXXXXXXXXXXXX that high. The elevations don't match up perfectly, but secret-stash elevations are often rounded to the nearest 1000'. Get your sled out....

Gregg's report offered good information, but he deliberately left the specific location vague.  Why not respect this?  The alternative is that Gregg (and myself, and others) will stop posting information which you, aside from anyone else, might find useful.  I suggest editing your post.  <br><br>Added later: thanks for the edit.