Think about the word hostel. What do you see in your mind? If you see a warm and loved home under massive star-filled skies, rugged mountains that are close enough to touch, and a community of dirtbag travelers, you’ve probably experienced the North Cascades Mountain Hostel. For everyone else, check your calendar and start planning your next trip to Winthrop, Washington.
Winthrop is a small town in the Methow Valley on the eastern side of North Cascades National Park. Styled as an old western town, complete with warped boardwalks and swinging saloon doors, Winthrop is a destination for summer travelers and winter recreation enthusiasts.
Population estimates vary, but most numbers hover around 500 full-time residents in just under a single square mile. By comparison, the average population density of Seattle, 189 miles to the southwest, packs in nearly 8,500 people per square mile.