Stehekin is Open for Summer Business

Date: June 7, 2007
Contact: Kerry Olsen, [phone], ext 13

After an eventful year full of fire and floods, Stehekin, Washington, looks forward to a summer at full operation. The community of Stehekin is located at the north end of the 50-mile Lake Chelan in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and part of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. All businesses will be open this summer, including the newly renovated NPS concession facilities, the Stehekin Landing Resort.

Access to Stehekin is by ferry, floatplane, or hiking in over one of the many mountain passes. The Lake Chelan Boat Company operates two boats in the summer, the Lady of the Lake II and the Lady Express. They each travel up the 50 mile long Lake Chelan and back daily. Chelan Airways flies their floatplane several times a day based on reservations.

Visitors can hike the area’s many trails, rent a bicycle, raft the Stehekin River, fish, horseback ride, kayak on Lake Chelan, attend a ranger program, or soak up the historic ambiance of the community. Knowledgeable park rangers can be found at the Golden West Visitor Center each day to help you plan your next activity. Visit www.nps.gov/noca/focus/focus.htm or call 360-854-7365 x.14 for more information. Following is more detailed information about the services offered in Stehekin.

 

Golden West Visitor Center

Start your visit at the historic Golden West Visitor Center just up the hill from the Stehekin Landing. This visitor center was built as a resort hotel in 1927. Park Rangers can help you plan your trip and provide information about the area trails and cultural and natural history. You can browse the exhibits or watch an informative ten minute video, A Wilderness Place. The Golden West Visitor Center in Stehekin is open daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through the end of September.

The Golden West Gallery is found within the visitor center. The Golden West Gallery offers visitors a chance to view work created by local artists and crafts people inspired by the North Cascades. The Golden West Gallery is managed by the Arts and Humanities of Stehekin (AHS), a nonprofit organization operated by volunteers. They are dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of the natural, historic, cultural and artistic landscapes of the North Cascades through the arts. The gallery is a cooperative venture of the resident artists of Stehekin and North Cascades National Park. Several exhibits are shown through the year. Artist receptions, presentations, readings, and hands on workshops for children and adults are offered throughout the season. Announcements for events and gallery openings are posted at the Golden West Visitor Center.

 

Hiking

Hikers of all ages and abilities can find solitude and wildlife on the many trails throughout the Stehekin Valley. Nearly 400 miles of trails and over 100 backcountry campsites accessible to hiking, boating, and stock use are available for exploration. All overnight stays in the backcountry require a free permit that must be obtained in person at the visitor/information station nearest the departure point. Wilderness travel information is available at https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/wilderness-trip-planner.htm. For current trail information and conditions, visit https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/trail-conditions.htm or call 360-854-7245.

 

Ranger Programs

Park Rangers offer a variety of daily programs at the Golden West Visitor Center, including a short naturalist talk, evening programs, guided trail hikes, guided walks through the Buckner Orchard Historic District, and Junior Ranger programs. Check area bulletin boards or https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/events.htm for updated schedules.

 

Historic Places

Within the Stehekin Valley, visitors can visit a number of historic districts and sites. The Buckner Orchard is a fully functioning apple orchard that began in operation in the early 1900s. It now is operated by the National Park Service and remains an important landmark contributing to the character of Stehekin. Visitors can also visit the 1921 one-room log school house, which was the Stehekin school until 1988. Next to the post office, a short interpretive walk takes you by the McKeller Cabin and an old pelton wheel.

 

For Kids

Kids can become Junior Rangers by completing a variety of activities that encourage them to experience the Stehekin area. They will have the opportunity to learn, teach and protect this national park site and to earn a Junior Ranger badge and certificate. The National Park Service has Family Fun Packs available for loan, which include field guides, books, binoculars, games, and an activity journal. These kits can be checked out for the duration of your stay. A fully refundable deposit is required.

 

The Stehekin Valley Road

Daily shuttle service is available from the Stehekin Landing to High Bridge (mile post 11.2) during summer months. View the schedule at http://www.stehekinlanding.com/files/documents/Shuttle_Schedule_2007.jpg. The upper Stehekin Valley Road is closed at mile post 12.9.

 

Stehekin Landing Resort

The North Cascades Stehekin Lodge reopens as the Stehekin Landing Resort June 6th with over $600,000 of improvements. This new NPS concessionaire still has a variety of rooms available for the summer. Guests are treated to rustic comfort in rooms overlooking Lake Chelan in the remote community of Stehekin. Visit www.stehekinlanding.com or call 509-682-4494 for more information.

 

Accommodations

A number of additional accommodations exist in Stehekin.

Silver Bay Inn Resortis located at the mouth of the Stehekin River just 1.5 miles from the landing. Write to P.O. Box 68, visit: www.silverbayinn.com or call [phone].

Stehekin Rainbow Lodgehas a few different cabins throughout the lower Valley. Write to P.O. Box 66, visit: www.stehekinrainbowlodge.com or call [phone].

Stehekin Valley Ranchoffers a rustic atmosphere with all the comforts of home nine miles from the landing. Write to P.O. Box 36, call [phone] or visit: www.courtneyranch.com.

Individual cabins are available for rent by private owners. Locations vary from 1.2 to 6 miles from the landing.

• Flick Creek Cabin: Write to P.O. Box 25, e-mail: [e-mail] or call [phone].

• Stehekin Cedar Home: Write to P.O. Box 14.

• Stehekin Log Cabins: Write to P.O. Box 67 or call [phone].

• StehekinMountainCabin: Write to P.O. Box 38 or e-mail: [e-mail].

All addresses are Stehekin, WA 98852 unless listed otherwise.

 

Activities and Services

Stehekin Pastry Company: Located 1.9 miles from the landing, the bakery offers fresh baked goods, coffee, refreshments and ice cream along with a lunch menu and special order cakes and desserts. Open Memorial Day to October.

Cascade Corrals: Horseback riding lessons and horse supported hiking and riding trips into the Cascades are available, as well as drop camps and upper valley tent-to-tent base camps. For trip times and costs, visit the Outdoor Store located just up the hill from the landing, write to: Corrals, PO Box 67, visit: www.courtneycountry.com or call: [phone] during business hours.

Discovery Bikes: Mountain bike rentals by the hour, day or week. A feature trip is the Ranch Breakfast Ride. Visit: www.stehekindiscoverybikes.com or write to: P.O. Box 8.

The House that Jack Built: Located near the Golden West Visitor Center, it has a variety of handcrafted items including t-shirts, cards, wooden bowls and jewelry made by residents of Stehekin. Open during the summer.

In My Hands Massage: State and nationally licensed. For reservations, write P.O. Box 55 or e-mail: [e-mail].

Rafting and Kayaking: Raft the lower 11 miles of the Stehekin River, or take a two-hour guided kayak tour on Lake Chelan. For more information, visit the Outdoor Store or www.stehekin.biz.

Other Websites and Phone Numbers

· NorthCascades National Park: 360-854-7200

· Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests: www.fs.fed.us/r6/oka, 509-664-9200

· Lake ChelanChamber of Commerce: www.lakechelan.com, 509-682-3503

· Stehekin Landing Resort: www.stehekinlanding.com, 509-682-4494

· Lady of the Lake: www.ladyofthelake.com, 509-682-4584
www.stehekin.com