Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the mountain wilderness that surrounds the valley. Many of the valley's trail
heads can be accessed from the bus that runs up the valley, which makes this an
excellent place for doing a variety of day hikes over several days. There are also
many longer trails originating here in Stehekin, which makes this a popular
starting point for backpacking trips. For information on hiking trails and to pick
up permits for overnight backpacking trips, stop by the
Golden West Visitor
Center,
which is operated by the National Park Service and is located near the
boat landing. It's open daily between May and mid-October. Fly-fishing on the
Stehekin River is also very popular and usually very productive. In winter there
is good snowshoeing at Stehekin, and snowshoes can be rented from
North Cas-
cades Stehekin Lodge
(
&
509/682-4494
).
SPORTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
FISHING
Fishing is one of the top recreational activities at Lake Chelan, and
in this deep lake's clear waters you'll find chinook and kokanee salmon, lake
(mackinaw) trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and freshwater lingcod.
Although there is bank fishing for stocked rainbows in the lower lake, most
other fishing requires a boat. Up in Stehekin there is good fly-fishing for native
cutthroat and rainbow trout. If you want to make sure you come home form
Lake Chelan with some good fish stores, get in touch with Terry Allan of
Allan's
Fishing Guide Service
(
&
509/687-3084;
www.fishlakechelan.com). In 2001,
Allan twice helped clients catch state record lake trout. Guided fishing trips cost
$145 to $175 for a day of fishing.
GOLF
Right on the edge of town, golfers will find the municipal
Lake
Chelan Golf Course,
1501 Golf Course Dr. (
&
800/246-5361
or 509/682-
8026; www.lakechelangolf.com), where greens fees range from $30 to $34.
However, anyone out this way with golf clubs is probably headed to
Desert
Canyon Golf Resort,
1201 Desert Canyon Blvd., Orondo (
&
800/258-4173
or 509/784-1111; www.desertcanyon.com), which is located 17 miles south of
Chelan and has been voted the best public course in Washington. Greens fees
range from $45 to $89.
HIKING
Beyond the ends of the roads at the south end of Lake Chelan lie
thousands of acres of unspoiled forests and many miles of hiking trails. Access
to the trails is from trail heads at road ends or from flag stops along the route of
the
Lady of the Lake II.
However, the best trails begin in the Stehekin area. For
more information on hiking and biking opportunities, contact the
Chelan
Ranger Station,
428 W. Woodin Ave., Chelan, WA 98816-9724 (
&
509/682-
2576;
www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee).
MOUNTAIN BIKING
During the snow-free months of the year, the exten-
sive network of cross-country ski trails at Echo Ridge becomes a mountain-bik-
ers' playground. The area has 18 miles of dirt roads and trails that are open to
mountain bikes. The trail head for this trail system is just under 10 miles from
downtown Chelan. Take the Manson Highway (Wash. 150) west to Boyd Road,
Hang in There, Baby
Chelan is one of the nation's top hang-gliding and paragliding spots.
Strong winds and thermals allow flyers to sail for a hundred miles or more
from the Chelan Sky Park atop Chelan Butte.
Fun Fact
