Stehekin

In April of 1889, the Belle of Chelan made her maiden voyage to the head of Lake Chelan.  Today, the Lady of the Lake and the Lady of the Lake II continue the tradition.  Because of rugged terrain, no roads have been built to the end of the lake and the northern valley remains as prstine as the first day as it was in 1889.

Rugged and beautiful shores of Lake Chelan make the ride to the head of Lake Chelan very serene and peaceful.

Arriving at Stehekin.

Local travel is possible by buses and other vehicles that have been delivered to Stehekin on barges.

An alternative to a boat ride, you can get to the head of the lake on float planes.  We saw several come and go during the 2 days that we enjoyed this area.   

The Golden West Visitor Center located in Stehikin is part of the North Cascades National Park Complex, Mt. Baker Ranger District.  This visitor center held displays and a gift shop and rangers provided help in planning for hikers, issuing permits, etc..  We saw many Pacific Crest Trail hikers getting their supplies as this is the last post office pick up point for them.  They only have 80 miles to their destination - Canada.

Fun to get pictures of post offices wherever we go.

The first school house in Stehekin.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is maintained as a museum.  It was used for the last time in 1988 and new school house continues educating kindergarten through 8th grade students (as few as five and as many as eighteen) who are year round residents.  

We had dinner at the Stehekin Valley Ranch located nine miles up valley from Stehekin.  Dinner was a home cooked meal served in the camp cookhouse.  We were transported to and from the Ranch on a bus which provided us the opportunity to see more the the area.  Good food in a beautiful inland valley

We took a bus tour to see Rainbow Falls and were able to stop at this great locally owned bakery.  It was a quick stop on the tour but it was a delicious stop.

Beautiful Rainbow Falls show the geological beauty and ruggedness of the area.

Amazing sight - Rainbow Falls.

We saw wildlife almost everywhere we went.  We saw several bears - a mother and her two cubs while on a nature trail just a couple blocks from the lodge where we stayed and a big bear near the road on our drive to Stehekin Valley Ranch.  Birds on the piers.  Squirrels so busy eating they didn't notice us.  Blue grouse in the front of the visitor center. 

These sunset pictures really show the beauty of this area.  Being there was so peaceful.  Everyone should make this trip.