Consistently ranked as one of the most pristine waters in the United States, Lake Chelan’s 55 mile length acts as a natural conduit between the rugged mountain peaks up lake and the lush, fertile down lake valley. At 1,486 feet, Lake Chelan is the third deepest lake in the nation, extending nearly 400 feet below sea level.
The azure blue water, orchards and rolling hills in the populated Lake Chelan and Manson region provide a striking contrast with the granite cliffs and snow covered mountains that rise dramatically from glacier-green water up lake.
Scenic Lake Chelan lies within an 80 mile long glacial valley near the center of Washington State. The semi-arid rolling hills surrounding the resort communities at the end of the lake give little hint of the spectacular views offered by this fiord- like lake which for the most of its length lies in a valley far deeper than the Grand Canyon.
Roads extend less than halfway up Lake Chelan. Beyond the end of the road, rugged snowcapped peaks rise over 7,000 feet from the lakeshore and dark green evergreens cover the mountainsides. Deep valleys rise from the lake to massive glaciers in the heart of the North Cascade Mountains.
At the upper end of Lake Chelan, limited local roads do not connect the communities of Stehekin and Holden Village to the outside world. This remoteness and spectacular setting have inspired Federal protection for much of the region. Portions of a National Park, two National Forrest Wilderness Areas, and a National Recreation Area encompass much of the Chelan drainage.
Lake Chelan rests in a glacially carved trough in the Cascade Range in northwestern Washington. At 1,500 feet (457.2 m), it is one of the nation’s deepest lakes offering opportunities for boating and fishing.
A trip to the head of Lake Chelan is a journey into an unspoiled frontier, forgotten by time. Nestled in the deepest gorge in North America, Lake Chelan is one of Washington’s largest bodies of fresh water. Though the average width is less than two miles, the lake extends 55 miles into the heart of the Cascade Mountain Range with peaks that exceed 9000 feet.
A trip up lake bridges the gap between the arid desert-like climates of the lower Lake Chelan Valley, through fiord-like gorges carved by glaciation, to the headwaters of the lake deep in the Cascade Mountains. Along the way you will lay witness to some of Mother Nature’s finest work, though she certainly didn’t spend much time polishing up. She left behind some of the roughest mountain peaks in the world.
Stehekin
You can hike, boat, fly, or ride a horse into Stehekin, at the head of Lake Chelan, but you can’t drive there in your car. This wilderness community is 50 miles up lake from ‘civilization’.
The Stehekin Valley, surrounded by towering mountains, offers an incredible getaway from phones, TVs, and the trappings of civilization in an incredibly beautiful setting. The boat ride from Chelan on the Lady of the Lake II (4 hours, one-way) or Lady Express (2 hours, one-way) takes you to Stehekin Landing where you can visit the Golden West Visitor’s Center, rent a mountain bike or cross-country skis and explore the valley, join in on a naturalist program during the summer with a trip to Buckner Orchard or Rainbow Falls, or stay overnight and explore the surrounding mountains on numerous hiking trails.
A Park Service shuttle bus runs during the summer and fall which will take you 23 miles to Cottonwood. Reservations are required and a fee is charged. Many facilities are closed during the winter.
The main access to Stehekin in the Recreation Area is by boat or float plane from the town of Chelan on Hwy. 97. There is no road access into Stehekin. Service is provided by Lake Chelan Boat Co. Daily boat service is now maintained year round. Air service is available for charter year-round, weather permitting, from Chelan Airways.
Visitor Activities
Interpretive exhibits, guided and self-guiding tours, picnicking, hiking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, boating, fishing, hunting and commercial river rafting. Facilities include a picnic area, boat and bicycle rentals, a post office, commercial buses and shuttle bus service. The Recreation Area is always open. Guided walks and programs are held from late June to early September. The shuttle bus operates from May 15 to Oct. 15.
Permits, Fees & Limitations
No entrance fee. The shuttle bus fee is $10. Reservations are necessary for the shuttle bus. Call 206-857-5700 for information on the shuttle bus and commercial buses operating out of Stehekin. Backcountry permits are required and available at Ranger Stations at Stehekin, Chelan and Marblemount. Special permits are required for livestock use
Camping And Lodging
Backcountry, cross-country and trail camping requires a permit. No permits required for boat camps. Reservations are required by mail. Write for more information to North Cascades National Park Service Complex, Wilderness District Office, 728 Ranger Station Road, Marblemount, WA 98267. Lodge rooms and housekeeping facilities are available on a seasonal basis. Contact North Cascades Lodge, Stehekin, WA 98852, phone 509-682-4711. Various private cabins are for rent in the Recreation Area. Other overnight accommodations are available in Chelan.
Food & Supplies
Meals are served at North Cascades Lodge and other facilities. Supplies are also available at North Cascades Lodge. Food and supplies are available in Chelan.
First Aid/Hospital
First aid is available at Ranger Stations. The nearest hospital is in Chelan, 50 miles (80.6 km).
Visitor Services
•Golden West Visitor Center (summer only) •Buckner Orchard •Rainbow Falls •North Cascades Lodge •Silver Bay Inn •Stehekin Valley Ranch
Hiking
Lake Chelan is a major entryway into the North Cascades, providing access to some of the best hiking and backpacking in the Cascade Range.
Trails range from one mile, through the paved Riverwalk Park to nearly 230 mile treks.
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced hikers can all find the perfect trail from among more than 40 trailheads listed in the Lake Chelan Valley.
Hiking: General Information
Lower elevation trails are usually accessible from early April through mid-October. Higher elevation trails (which is most of the North Cascades backcountry), however, do not open until mid-July and remain accessible through late September. There are 386 miles of maintained trails, many steeply taking you to absolutely breathtaking alpine scenery.
Permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. Camping at designated or existing sites is encouraged. Party size is limited to 12 (6 in cross-country zones) and campfires are discouraged in subalpine areas. Pets are not allowed on any trail in North Cascades National Park except the Pacific Crest Trail, where they must be on a leash.
Hiking: Precautions There is a significant difference between west side and east side climates, with the westside receiving higher precipitation year-round, resulting in cloudier and cooler weather. Eastside forests, in the Cascade rain shadow, have more sunshine, higher temperatures, and noticeably less vegetation.
Holden Village
Once one of the largest copper mines in the United States, Holden Village is now a year round retreat center affiliated with the Lutheran church but open to people of all backgrounds.
Holden sits in a beautiful mountain valley and is surrounded by the towering peaks of the Cascade Mountain Range. Because of its remote wilderness setting, nature and her inhabitants are part of everyday life at Holden. Wildlife such as dear, bear, marmots, and rabbits are seen on a regular basis. You could literally search the world over and possibly not find a place quite like Holden Village.
Though the miners and their dreams of riches are long since gone, the buildings and scenery remain virtually untouched. Holden is certainly one of the best preserved mill towns left in the country.
Each summer day Holden Village welcomes up to 450 people..Couples, families, singles, young and old–who’ve come to be part of the program.
There are many popular trails that surround the village–from a 1 mile walk to 10 mile Falls to a 5 mile hike through fields of wild flowers and past glaciated peaks to Holden Lake. The snack bar, bowling alley, pool hall, sauna, and jacuzzi are also popular stops. Each evening they gather as a community for a short worship service.
Holden is a year round community with winter being one of the most special times to visit. With an average snowfall of 230 inches, skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding quickly become popular activities. The winter is much less structured than the busy summertime, and visitors, who are welcome throughout the winter, should be prepared for plenty of outdoor recreation, reading, conversation, crafts, and plain old relaxation.
Holden Village is one of the most remote communities in the lower 48 states. It is on the edge of the Glacier Peak Wilderness Area, which means Holden offers the unique opportunity of being in the midst of wilderness while still having comfortable accommodations.
Because we do operate out of the mining towns original buildings, you’ll find our rooms are comfortable, but simple. Please don’t miss this part of the Lake Chelan Wilderness.
