The Meadowlark Trail at the Meadowlark Natural Area in Winthrop, Washington is an easy to moderate 1.9-mile loop hike that features wildflowers and views of the alpine mountains within North Cascades National Park and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
The Meadowlark Trail is a large loop, but it includes a bisecting trail where you can choose to hike 1.9-miles on the outer loop or a shorter ~1-mile hike along the bisecting loop, your choice. This guide follows the larger outer loop counter-clockwise. To start, you'll find large blue-tinted grasses swaying in the breeze near the trailhead as the trail leads through the exposed meadows. Following the trail south bound features distant alpine vistas of Hoodoo Peak and Bigelow Peak in the southwest.
As the trail begins to curve around and ascend, it becomes a bit steeper and follows a moderate grade. On your way up the hill, you'll find more distant views of alpine mountains, like the towering peaks that surround Washington Pass and the Washington Pass Overlook. Eventually, the trail reaches its highest point around mile 0.9 where the best views of downtown Winthrop come into view. You'll also find panoramic views of the grassy hills and nearby mountains that surround the Methow River valley.
Follow the trail as it leads back downhill as it wraps around to the south again. Reach the spur trail that leads to the trailhead near mile 1.87. End the hike back at the parking area at mile 1.9.
Hike the Meadowlark Trail
The trailhead sits on the northeast corner of the parking area where you'll find information signs about rules and regulations.The Meadowlark Trail is a large loop, but it includes a bisecting trail where you can choose to hike 1.9-miles on the outer loop or a shorter ~1-mile hike along the bisecting loop, your choice. This guide follows the larger outer loop counter-clockwise. To start, you'll find large blue-tinted grasses swaying in the breeze near the trailhead as the trail leads through the exposed meadows. Following the trail south bound features distant alpine vistas of Hoodoo Peak and Bigelow Peak in the southwest.
As the trail begins to curve around and ascend, it becomes a bit steeper and follows a moderate grade. On your way up the hill, you'll find more distant views of alpine mountains, like the towering peaks that surround Washington Pass and the Washington Pass Overlook. Eventually, the trail reaches its highest point around mile 0.9 where the best views of downtown Winthrop come into view. You'll also find panoramic views of the grassy hills and nearby mountains that surround the Methow River valley.
Follow the trail as it leads back downhill as it wraps around to the south again. Reach the spur trail that leads to the trailhead near mile 1.87. End the hike back at the parking area at mile 1.9.
