Untitled — 3 years ago
With the 4 hour drive and 2-6 hour boat ride (depends what season it is and how much you’re willing to pay) each way, it’s a long slog from Seattle to Stehekin. The town is very cute, but I wouldn’t call it worth it to just go for one day. The real destination is the hiking trails in the mountains around town. I went for a three day backpacking trip on Memorial Day weekend, and saw a total of three other people on the trail (I almost saw more rattlesnakes than people…). The south slopes were sunny and dusty, but snow still lingered at high elevation and in the shadows on the north slopes. The high ridges offered great views of the sapphire lake on one side and of the mountains and valleys stretching off into the distance. The 20 mile loop included damp stream banks, flower-dotted high meadows, snowy gullies, dramatic burn areas, and ended at a campsite by a stream that felt like a slightly overgrown Japanese garden.
Here’s how to get there: http://www.ladyofthelake.com/
And what to do when you do get there: http://www.stehekin.com/hiking.html
