Access: Drive 12 miles west of Mazama on Highway 20 to Cutthroat Creek Road (located approximately one-and-a-half miles west of Lone Fir Campground or 4.6 miles east of Washington Pass).

Turn onto Cutthroat Creek Road, then drive one mile to the trailhead.

What You Will See: The trail begins near the horse unloading ramp and immediately crosses Cutthroat Creek on a sturdy log bridge. This is a mostly level hike to a quiet lake cradled in the bottom of a shaded, high-walled basin.

The trail meanders easily along Cutthroat Creek, passing through open stands of lodgepole pine and thickets of spruce. The trail forks about a quarter-mile before the lake — the left fork leads to the lake (there is no bridge across the small outlet stream), the right fork takes you up to Cutthroat Pass.

Once past Cutthroat lake, the trail climbs steadily over a moderate grade through timber and open, rocky slopes to Cutthroat Pass.

At the pass, forest visitors will see golden larch (tamarack) in their fall splendor, Kangaroo Ridge, Cutthroat Peak, awesome alpine views and possibly even a mountain goat or two.

Fees: A Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking at this trailhead ($5 daily, $30 annual pass).

Length: It’s a two-mile hike to Cutthroat Lake and five-and-a-half mile jaunt to Cutthroat Pass.

Elevation gain: 600 to 2,300 feet (4,400 feet elevation at the trailhead, Cutthroat Lake is 5,000 feet and Cutthroat Pass is 6,700 feet).

Allowed: Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are OK. Please note that these trails are maintained primarily for mountain bikes.

Not allowed: No motorized vehicles on the trails and no overnight camping or horses are allowed at the lake.

Considerations: Drinking water may be scarce beyond the lake. Be sure to fill water bottles before going on to the pass.

Weather conditions are changing rapidly this time of year so be prepared for all types of weather conditions; take extra food and warm clothing.

For information: Methow Valley Ranger District in Winthrop at (509) 996-4003