Stehekin and the Stehekin valley offer a range of activities – from the relaxed to the active, the tranquil to the adventurous. Listed below are some of the available activities.
Biking
The valley from the landing up to Harlequin Bridge is flat and the road is surfaced making it ideal for exploring by bicycle. There are few cars and the drivers are used to bicycles on the road making it a safe place to bike as well. Pack a lunch and tour the valley. The upper valley above Harlequin Bridge is less easy as the road begins to climb and asphalt gives way to gravel.
Some of the more popular stops along the valley are listed below and in the Valley Guide section.
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is a 312 foot tall waterfall that plunges from the upland meadows above the Stehekin valley and down into a narrow gorge that is filled with mist creating a cool shaded spot. The moisture from the mist feeds the ferns and cedars that crowd around the cataract giving it an old growth feel. The falls are reachable from a trail that follows the Rainbow Creek where is passes under the valley road, or from the gravel spur that leads to a turn around spot. A park bench built for giants along the river is nice spot to have lunch. A short trail leads up to a viewpoint overlooking the upper part of the fall.
Buckner Orchard and Homestead Historic District
Just downstream from Rainbow Falls is Buckner Homestead Historic District which was homesteaded in 1889 and later purchased by the Buckner family. The homestead comprises a number of building spanning 60 years of farming as well as vintage tractors and trucks and an orchard with a large number of apple trees. It is now part of the North Cascades National Park and is maintained as interpretive center. The orchard produces apples which residents harvest and press for cider. A large field connects the homestead with Stehekin River. A side channel at the end of the field is often shallow and calm enough for wading.
Old Schoolhouse
The Stehekin School, or just the old school, was built in 1921 and is now on the national register of historic places. The school was in use until 1988 and is now open to the public giving visitors a chance to experience a frontier one-room school house.
Horseback riding
Half day and full day trail rides are offered by Stehekin Outfitters from the Stehekin Valley Ranch. The half day ride goes to Howard Lake while the full day rides follows the old wagon trail to Bridge Creek. Riding lessons are also offered.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Hiking
At the landing
Hike along the lake shore on the flat Lakeshore Trail for as long as you like before heading back. If you start early you can hike the 7 miles to Moore Point and catch the ferry at noon back to Stehekin (only on days when the Lady II is running). Remember to bring water as there are very few streams along the trail.
Take the very steep Purple Pass Trail from behind the visitor’s center to get a bird’s eye view of Stehekin and Lake Chelan. It is 7 miles to the pass at 6900 feet, so climb as far as your legs can carry you and enjoy the views. A nice turnaround is the bench about 3 miles up the trail. It is best to start early in the morning and bring lots of water as there is limited shade and water sources.
The Imus Creek Trail is a one mile trail that starts at the visitor center and ends up at Purple Point going around “downtown” Stehekin.
Mid-valley
Rainbow Creek Loop Trail is a 5 mile hike that starts about a ½ mile above Harlequin Bridge and ends up about ½ mile from the bakery. It climbs gently through the forest and tops out as you enter the burn area from the 2013 fire. The only steep uphill is after crossing Rainbow Creek above the falls (the falls are not visible). The trail opens up to great views of the Lake Chelan before dropping to the valley floor. You can either bike up to the upper trail head, and hike or take the bus back the 2 miles along the road, or take the bus to the upper trailhead and hike the 1 mile along the road back to the cabin, stopping off for ice cream at the bakery on the way.
Stehekin River Trail is a 4 mile hike (8 miles return) along the Stehekin River that begins at the end of the runway across Harlequin Bridge and ends up at Weaver Point at the mouth of the Stehekin River. It is a flat trail through a range of forest types from moist cedar and broadleaf maple at the beginning to a dry upland pine forest at the end. A 3/4 side trip up Devore Creek trail takes you a view of upper Lake Chelan and “downtown” Stehekin.
Upper Valley
From High Bridge there are three day hikes that head off in different directions.
The shortest is the 1.6 mile (3.3 mile round trip hike) Howard Lake Trail. It begins behind the ranger house by the bridge and climbs moderately along the Old Wagon Trail before branching off to Howard Lake at the base of McGregor Mountain. There is good chance to see wildlife along the trail and around the lake and the fishing is good.
The 2.5 mile (5 mile round trip) Agnes Gorge Trail begins across High Bridge. Walk up the road a ¼ mile past the Agnes Creek trailhead (that is the PCT southbound – not a day hike) to the Agnes Gorge Trailhead. The trail climbs a little before flattening out. Blueberries are found mid to late summer. The trail ends with a short drop down to Agnes Creek. If the creek is low, there is small pool next to the creek for wading and cooling off. The creek runs fast and strong, so be careful.
The easy 5 mile (10 mile return) trail to Bridge Creek starts from the same place as the Howard Lake Trail but continues along the Old Wagon Trail climbing gently up the valley along the Stehekin River to the Bridge Creek Campground where you can get great views of the mountains in the heart of the North Cascades. In season there are abundant blueberries, huckleberries and thimbleberries. This trail is part of the Pacific Crest Trail that continues on to Canada.
More information about these and other, longer hikes (such as McGregor Mountain and Goode Ridge) is available at the Golden West Visitor Center which can also provide you with up to date information about trail conditions, animal sightings, and closures.
Fishing
Stehekin offers very good fishing opportunities, both on the lake and in the Stehekin River, where you can find trout (rainbow, cutthroat, lake, and brook) and salmon (kokanee and Chinook).
Stehekin Fishing Adventures is a great resource for guided fishing tours and information. You will need a fishing license. Go to Washington Fish & Wildlife for a list of vendors or to purchase on-line. The rules for fishing the Stehekin River and upper Lake Chelan are complex, so we recommend you download the current Sports Fishing Rules pamphlet. Children under 15 do not require a license.
Star Gazing
Deep in the North Cascades, far from the nearest city and with no streetlights, Stehekin has some of the darkest skies in the lower 48. After the sun goes down and darkness settles over the valley, turn off the lights, go outside with a pair binoculars and lay back. As your eyes adjust to the darkness, the sky will fill with stars. The Milky Way is a glowing ribbon crossing the sky cut through by dark nebulae, and thousands of individual stars cover the sky. If you live in a city you will be amazed at what a spectacle a truly dark night sky is.