My North Cascades Story - Surrounded By What We Love, We Produce Coffee That You Will Love

Surrounded By What We Love, We Produce Coffee That You Will Love

By Lori Loomis
Owner, Backcountry Coffee Roasters
Winthrop Resident

In September 2001 my husband, Bob and I set out to escape to the North Cascades for a week long vacation. We began our adventure with a backpacking trip to Sourdough Lookout on the summit of Sourdough Mountain. We chose to take the shorter, yet steeper route from the Diablo approach and camp overnight at Sourdough Creek. 

It was a grueling hike with relentless switchbacks that was worth every painful step to the stunning views from the campsite overlooking Ross Lake. The next morning we hiked the last mile and a half through subalpine meadows to the ridge top where more amazing views awaited. After two amazing days of exploring we headed back down the mountain to our car. It was September 11th, 2001 and while the rest of the world was lost in the horror of the terrorists attacks of 9/11 we were lost in the beauty of the North Cascades unaware of the tragedy that stunned our nation. 

We didn’t know it at the time, but that trip into the North Cascades was the start of a ten year journey that led us where we are today, sharing our backyard with mule deer and eagles and our commute to work with our dog Zoe. We now live and work in Winthrop, Washington where stunning views of the North Cascades and the surrounding beauty of the Methow Valley are an everyday occurrence and a constant source of inspiration. 

With amazing year-round trails out our doorstep and beautiful views of Mt. Gardner out the windows of our coffee roasting business, Backcountry Coffee Roasters, we are constantly reminded that every choice we make affects the health and vitality of nature and the environment in which we live, work and play.