Mazama, Washington
Encyclopedia
Mazama is a small village nestled in the Methow Valley of the Methow River
in the eastern part of Washington. It is 14 miles (22 km) northwest of Winthrop
and about 28 miles (45 km) from the Canadian
border.
Located on the eastern flank of the Cascade mountain range
, forests of Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine
cover Mazama and the surrounding area, which is home to one of the world's longest cross-country skiing
trails, stretching for 120 miles (193 km) and running through the town itself.
Mazama's town center elevation is 2,178 feet (664 meters) and it is located 2.7 miles south, and 4,700 feet below Goat Peak
.
Mazama and Winthrop recorded the coldest temperature ever measured in Washington state at on December 30, 1968.
In the 19th century the town was called "Goat Creek". When a post office was secured in 1899 the settlers chose a name they thought was Greek for "mountain goat". They later discovered that they had looked in the wrong dictionary. Mazama means "mountain goat" in Spanish, not Greek.
Methow River
The Methow River is a tributary of the Columbia River in northern Washington in the United States. The river's watershed is , with a population of about 5,000 people. The Methow's watershed is characterized by relatively pristine habitats, with much of the river basin is located in national forests...
in the eastern part of Washington. It is 14 miles (22 km) northwest of Winthrop
Winthrop, Washington
Winthrop is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. It is east of Mazama and north of Twisp. The population of the Winthrop area was 1,916 at the 2000 census; however, the incorporated town had a population of 349. The 2010 census showed an increase to 394 within the town limits...
and about 28 miles (45 km) from the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
border.
Located on the eastern flank of the Cascade mountain range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
, forests of Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, or Western Yellow Pine, is a widespread and variable pine native to western North America. It was first described by David Douglas in 1826, from eastern Washington near present-day Spokane...
cover Mazama and the surrounding area, which is home to one of the world's longest cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
trails, stretching for 120 miles (193 km) and running through the town itself.
Mazama's town center elevation is 2,178 feet (664 meters) and it is located 2.7 miles south, and 4,700 feet below Goat Peak
Goat Peak
Goat Peak is a peak in the North Cascades of Washington, United States. It is in the William O. Douglas Wilderness. The mountain is a popular day hike in the summer months, being that the summit offers broad views of the Methow River valley as well as many of the other prominent cascade peaks...
.
Mazama and Winthrop recorded the coldest temperature ever measured in Washington state at on December 30, 1968.
In the 19th century the town was called "Goat Creek". When a post office was secured in 1899 the settlers chose a name they thought was Greek for "mountain goat". They later discovered that they had looked in the wrong dictionary. Mazama means "mountain goat" in Spanish, not Greek.