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Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
The narrow, glacier-carved Stehekin Valley is surrounded by towering mountains. Elevation gradually rises from 1100 feet at the lake to 5400 feet at Cascade Pass, about 29 miles away. The Stehekin River, which flows through the valley, is one of three major streams that feed Lake Chelan; the other two, Railroad Creek and Prince Creek enter downlake outside the Recreation Area. Rainbow Creek plunges 312 feet over Rainbow Falls before joining the Stehekin River 3.5 miles up the valley.
No roads connect the Stehekin Valley with outside road systems; access is by boat, float plane, or trail. The valley road begins at the boat landing and follows the river 22.8 miles to Cottonwood (a campground at the trailhead to Cascade Pass and Horseshoe Basin), inside North Cascades National Park. The National Park Service and private carriers offer transportation for backpackers, fishermen, day hikers, and round-trip sightseers to trailheads and camps throughout the valley.
You can hike, boat, or fly to Stehekin, at the head of Lake Chelan, but you can't drive there in your car. This wilderness community, some 55 miles uplake from Chelan, Washington, is popular with hikers, backpackers, canoeists, boaters, and campers. The Stehekin Valley, surrounded by towering mountains, enjoys a rich history of fur trapping and mining (both short-lived), and homesteading and recreation. It was recognized early this century that the Stehekin area's greatest importance lay in its recreational and scenic values. About 1900, hotels and summer cabins began to be built. The few year-round residents at that time depended on fruit farming, timber, horse-packing, and recreation to make a living.
Travelers find refreshment in the coolness and beauty of Rainbow Falls. A touch of nostalgia surrounds the log school house used from 1928 through 1988 and the historic Buckner Orchard. In season you can take the National Park Service shuttle bus to up-valley campgrounds, or the valley road's end within North Cascades National Park. Most people take the commercial uplake boat trip to Stehekin from Chelan. The four-hour trip (quicker boat service is available seasonally) provides shoreline views of private residential and farming development on the lower lake, rugged mid-lake shorelines and national forest lands, and the lake's upper 4 miles within Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Floatplane service is available from Chelan.
Lake Chelan, a natural lake, rests in a glacially carved trough. At a depth of nearly 1,500 feet, it is one of the Nation's deepest lakes, and its bottom lies about 400 feet below sea level. A dam built at Chelan in 1927 raised the lake level 21 feet to increase power production. Lodging and meals, postal service, and some basic supplies for campers are available at the Stehekin Landing.
Trails
Rainbow Loop Trail
Distance to Trailhead: 2.6 miles
Distance (One Way): 4.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Remarks: Bluffs overlooking Stehekin Valley and Lake Chelan.
Lakeshore Trail
Distance to Trailhead: Golden West Visitor Center
Distance (One Way): 17.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Remarks: Trail follows north shore of Lake Chelan with scenic views of the lake.
Purple Creek Trail
Distance to Trailhead: Golden West Visitor Center
Distance (One Way): 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 5,700 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Remarks: Hike an additional 1/2 mile to Boulder Butte for a panoramic view.
Cascade Pass Trail
Distance to Trailhead: 22.8 miles
Distance (One Way): 12.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Remarks: Well-used trail through talus slopes and wooded ridge to Cascade Pass.
McGregor Mountain Trail
Distance to Trailhead: 11.1 miles (at High Bridge)
Distance (One Way): 7.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 6,525 feet
Difficulty: Very strenuous
Remarks: Steep hike to excellent views. Check at Golden West Visitor Center for route.
Agnes Gorge Trail
Distance to Trailhead: 113 miles
Distance (One Way): 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Remarks: Excellent views of Agnes Mountain.
Coon Lake Trail
Distance to Trailhead: 11.1 miles (at High Bridge)
Distance (One Way): 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Remarks: Coon Lake is an excellent place for watching birds.
Goode Ridge Lookout Trail
Distance to Trailhead: 16.1 miles
Distance (One Way): 5.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,800 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Remarks: Trail ends at old fire lookout with a panoramic view.
Stehekin River Trail
Distance to Trailhead: 4.4 miles (at Harlequin Camp.)
Distance (One Way): 4 .0 miles
Elevation Gain: Level
Difficulty: Easy
Remarks: Trail follows river. Beaver ponds; birds; fishing holes.
Bridge Creek Trail
Distance to Trailhead: 15.9 miles
Distance (One Way): 14.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Remarks: Pacific Crest Trail heading north.
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