Previous :: Next Topic |
Author |
Message |
John Member
Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 143 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds |
|
John
Member
|
Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:58 pm
|
|
|
The Lakeshore Trail is an incredible hike that is well worth the extra effort to reach it. After a
three hour car ride to Chelan from the Seattle area, backpackers must board a passenger ferry that
takes another three hours to arrive at the trailhead near Prince Creek. Fortunately, Kristie and I
were staying at nearby Campbell's Resort for a conference, so my journey to the trail was divided
into a more leisurely two days.
Aboard the ferry, I met a trio of seasoned backpackers who were taking three days to hike the 18
miles to Stehekin. I had planned to do it in two, camping at Flick Creek, 14 miles in. That would
leave just the last four miles for the following day, ensuring an early arrival at the Stehekin
Lodge and plenty of time to catch the express ferry back to Chelan.
At Prince Creek, the four of us deboarded and a group of about 20 other backpackers, who had
finished the reverse route, climbed on. They warned us of rattlesnakes and ticks, but I did not
see any; nor another soul, for that matter, on the entire trail.
I did spot dozens of lizards, chipmunks, birds, deer and a lone mountain goat. Of course, I also
enjoyed the amazing views of Lake Chelan, the third deepest lake in the United States. The weather
was perfect. Sunny and warm, but refreshingly breezy. The air was filled with the sweet scent of
ponderosas and patches of purple lupine. At times, the sunlight filtered through the lake, producing
an amazing turquoise color. I think I wore a smile during the entire hike.
At Flick Creek, my jaw dropped in awe, and then I laughed giddily in disbelief. Here lies the most
beautiful campsite on the trail, and perhaps one of the best I've ever seen. The site is located
alongside a bouldered shore, with views of snow-capped peaks over the gem-like lake. A floating
dock, log shelter, picnic table, fire pit, bear locker, and fancy toilet are some of the other
amenities. I was surprised it wasn't already claimed by another backpacker or boating party. There's
really only room here for one group. Lucky me!
It was great! At Flick Creek, I soaked it all in, enjoying a most excellent evening, relaxing amidst
nature in my own private paradise, thinking, "THIS is what backpacking is all about!"
The next day I walked into Stehekin, the most isolated community in the contiguous United States,
where everyone waves and says, "Hello!" I washed up and changed into a fresh shirt, making it to the
cozy little restaurant just in time for breakfast (9:30 AM is when they stop serving). Here I enjoyed
the most tasty omelet, sausage, fried potatoes and sliced apples that I think I've ever had... It was
certainly a fine way to top off a wonderful hike.
More photos:
http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2008/06/chelan_lakeshore_trail.html
John
|
Back to top |
|
|
PYB78 leseattleitefrancais
Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 42 | TRs | Pics Location: Snoqualmie, WA |
|
PYB78
leseattleitefrancais
|
Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:16 pm
|
|
|
AMAZING pictures...that looks like so much fun. I am still floored by the beauty of this place. Very different than the south end of the lake.
"L'opinion est si bien la reine du monde que quand la raison veut le combattre, la raison est condamnée à mort."
"L'opinion est si bien la reine du monde que quand la raison veut le combattre, la raison est condamnée à mort."
|
Back to top |
|
|
superhikerguy Member
Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 16 | TRs | Pics
|
Great PICS!!! Definitely on my to do list some time. If I can ever find the time.
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ingunn Hiking Viking
Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 1751 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond |
|
Ingunn
Hiking Viking
|
Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:50 pm
|
|
|
Great photos!! Maaan, I have to do that next year...
|
Back to top |
|
|
Hiker Mama Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Posts: 3448 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood |
Beautiful pictures! The color of that water is something else, isn't it?!
|
Back to top |
|
|
silly_traveler ~ roaming ~
Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 1525 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellevue |
♫ You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. And you're the one who will decide where you'll go. Oh the places you'll go. - Dr. Seuss
|
Back to top |
|
|
BlueMountainMan Member
Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 37 | TRs | Pics Location: Everett |
Wow- spectacular pictures, both in quality and composition. Thank you.
I did that hike twenty years ago and still vividly remember:
1) swimming in the lake after a day of hiking- man did that feel good! 60 degree water, beautifully clear, very refreshing
2) deep blue skies by day, very dark transparent skies by night- I went in August at the time of the Perseid meteor shower max. Very nice.
3) walking along the trail, coming around a bend, and there, right next to the trail about ten feet ahead of me, a RATTLESNAKE! About 3 feet long, shakin' his moneymaker if ya know what I mean. . .
And oh yeah- walking along the trail where a dirt road crossed it, and here comes somebody driving by. . . in an old Volkswagon! Where does that road go, and what is someone doing out here driving on it? I seem to remember it was a dirt road somewhere in the Moore Point area.
|
Back to top |
|
|
call-151 Member
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 59 | TRs | Pics Location: Vancouver, BC |
|
call-151
Member
|
Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:30 am
|
|
|
Those are some fantastic photos, thanks for sharing!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Wazzu_camper Go Cougs!
Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 550 | TRs | Pics Location: Woodinville |
I haven't done a lot of hiking up in the Chelan area, now I might just have to.
Thanks for the pics!
|
Back to top |
|
|
mtngrl Member
Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 248 | TRs | Pics
|
|
mtngrl
Member
|
Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:47 am
|
|
|
Beautiful pictures! Enjoyed browsing your website too - great work!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mark Griffith (Embrace yourself)
Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 853 | TRs | Pics Location: Issaquah |
Well done on the photography!
|
Back to top |
|
|
John Member
Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 143 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds |
|
John
Member
|
Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:39 pm
|
|
|
Thanks everyone!
BlueMountainMan, I'm guessing the water in the lake warms up considerably in August? At Flick Creek, I could barely dip my feet in for five seconds - it was freezing!
John
|
Back to top |
|
|
summithound Climbing Connoisseur
Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 1766 | TRs | Pics Location: Everett, WA |
|
summithound
Climbing Connoisseur
|
Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:11 pm
|
|
|
Nice photos John! What kind of camera setup were you using? Were you using a tripod? I took the boat to Stehekin only a day or two before you did.
Pain is just weakness leaving the body.
Pain is just weakness leaving the body.
|
Back to top |
|
|
John Member
Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 143 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds |
|
John
Member
|
Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:18 pm
|
|
|
Thanks, Skimpy.
Most of the photos were taken with a Rebel XT and the EF-S 10-22mm lens. I think I used the ultrapod ii on a couple shots.
John
|
Back to top |
|
|
summithound Climbing Connoisseur
Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 1766 | TRs | Pics Location: Everett, WA |
|
summithound
Climbing Connoisseur
|
Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:38 pm
|
|
|
Thanks John. A lot of your photos look better than the real thing.
Pain is just weakness leaving the body.
Pain is just weakness leaving the body.
|
Back to top |
|
|
|