XC Weekend Getaway

I want to take my wife away for MLK weekend....this would be the first time for us to get away without our daughter.

The point would be XC skiing and plenty of cabin time Anyone have any hidden gem suggestions as far as destinations or places to stay?

I think the the Methow would be too far away, I've wondered about (the obvious) Leavenworth, or maybe Cle Ellum / Roslyn...what about the Baker area?

Thanks for your input.

Look into High Camp at the Scottish Lakes. Great cross-country and backcountry skiing, from all that I've heard. It's been on my list to head in there for a while. Hopefully this year.

The Methow is really great for trips like this -- yes the five hour drive from the Seattle area is a pain -- particularly if there is fog and/or deer while driving route 153 at night between Pateros and Twisp -- but once you are there the track skiing and lounging options are quite good.   If you don't mind dropping major coin -- the dining at Sun Mountain lodge can make for a special dinner.  The cabins at Patterson Lake resort are pretty nice.  For MLK weekend -- stuff in the Methow may be getting booked up.

Out of the Cle Elum area there groomed skiing options from the Salmon Le Sac sno-park (about 6KM of groomed trails) MAP

and from the Lake Easton sno-park (5KM of trails) MAP

Compaired to the Methow -- these are pretty short trails -- but if your are mostly going to be hanging out perhaps it's enough.

If you don't need groomed trails -- there are many miles of XC trails around the Blewett pass area MAP Road #800 along Wenatchee Ridge is pretty mellow and often has super views of the Enchantments and Mt Stuart.   Also: The Swauk Meadows loop (trail XC 141), the Haney meadow trail (XC 15) and the Tronsen Meadow trail were brushed last weekend.   These trails and the trails out of the Pipe Creek sno-park are probably better choices on a windy day than road #800.

I don't know much about cabin rentals in the Cle Elum area -- can't help you there.

Look into High Camp at the Scottish Lakes.  Great cross-country and backcountry skiing, from all that I've heard.  It's been on my list to head in there for a while.  Hopefully this year.

I can confirm that Scottish Lakes has quite enjoyable XC skiing for intermediates and above.   The rustic cabins have a certain  charm -- my wife has balked about going there -- because of the fact that the cabin's don't have indoor plumbing.

For MLK weekend it is moot anyway -- 'cause they are already booked up (most winter weekends are already fully booked)

Mt Tahoma Trails Association has trails, yurts and nice cabins on S side of Mt Rainier. Some are out of action at present due to the flood damage last winter. Very low fees and nice country.
www.skimtta.com/