We've just returned from a delightful cruise on Lake Chelan, which is located in the north central area of Washington State. Lake Chelan is a 55 mile long inland fjord which extends into the heart of the Cascade Mountains. It is over 1600 feet deep, which makes its bottom below sea level in some places. We went all the way to the head of the lake, which is in the North Cascades National Recreation Area. The NRA serves as a gateway to the North Cascades National Park. The unique community of Stehekin is at the head of the lake. Stehekin is home for around 80 permanent residents, and can only be reached by boat, trail, or float plane. The community has a post office, one room schoolhouse (18 students at present), a wonderful bakery, and various businesses which support tourism and outdoor activities. We had outstanding weather on the 3 day trip. Prevailing winds are downlake, and that was the case on this trip. We motored uplake against a light breeze, but sailed most of the way downlake, wing on wing and averaging 5 knots until the breeze started to fail toward the end of the cruise. While at Stehekin we tied up at a floating dock at Stehekin Landing. It only cost $2.50 for the night with my senior federal lands/parks pass ($5 for you youngsters). The mountains along the lakeshore are spectacular, rising from 1100 feet on the lake to summits above 7000 feet. We didn't see any wildlife along the way this time, but it's not uncommon to see black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and mule deer from the boat. The waterfalls were still runnning strong, since we received above average snowfall last winter, and the spring and summer here has been quite cool. Lake Chelan deserves a lot of respect, as the wind there comes up suddenly and can create dangerously high seas, with few opportunities to take shelter, but in the right conditions, as we enjoyed earlier this week, it's a wonderful place to cruise.
My nephew and his wife own a cabin on Lake Chelan. Otherwise, they live near Everett, (Granite Falls). They escape from the Puget Sound gloom to the sunny skies of Lake Chelan as often as they can. He keeps asking me to bring our boat up to cruise the lake. Thanks for the information.
Chinook, I'm trying to figure out the chrome trailer hitch ball in your first picture? Also what are those seat backs I see?
This looks like a very neat place to explore, and I'm going to put it aside for future reference when I manage to make it to that neighborhood. With that kind of depth there should be some good cold water fishing to be had.
The chrome trailer hitch potentially serves 3 purposes. It's mainly there to provide a convenient grab handle when moving around in the cockpit. Without it, it would be tempting to grab ahold of the GPS, which is mounted atop the pedestal. I found some solid aluminum rod which fit perfectly into the socket which holds the mast crutch. I drilled and tapped one end of the rod to receive the hitch ball, and cut it to length, so it sticks up just a bit above the GPS. It serves very well as a grab point when moving past the pedestal. It can also serve as a handy fish whacker when I manage to land the big one. And similarly, I could always use it to repel unwanted boarders. Arg! As for the seats, they are folding boat seats I picked up at West Marine several years ago. They give good back support in the cockpit, and we also use them as beach seats, since the backs can be set up so they stay upright.
The fishing on Lake Chelan can be quite good for large lake trout and chinook salmon, as well as kokanee and rainbow trout. I understand that bass fishing at the lower end of the lake is also productive.
Lake Chelan is one of the best kept secrets...anywhere. Next time you are out this way, stop in to Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards. Our name celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of a man who ran a row boat taxi service from Lucerne to Point Lovely on Lake Chelan, ferrying miners to the brothel at Edgemont lodge. Try the "Nauti Buoy" Riesling blend. Delicious and very appropriate I am the owner and winemaker there.
I google'd it and the whole area looked totally awesome Might be about two years away for us but I guarantee a drop in and will include a wee tasting or two (bit early to put anything on ice yet). We're in the heart of winecountry Niagara, so I've come to appreciate the rites of Bachus - perhaps more than I should.
Have to pass on the brothel though - my Admiral would be stompin more than my grapes!
Great story about the origin of your name. The folks we took uplake with us have had a Forest Service permit cabin just above Domke Falls, a short distance below Lucerne, for many years. We docked there on the way up, so we could stretch our legs. I'll look forward to dropping in at your winery next chance we get. The Lake Chelan area has developed into a remarkable wine producing region, and we'd love to get acquainted and samply your wine. Speaking of old boats on the Lake, the father of a good friend was first mate and purser on the Lady of the Lake back in the 1950's. Lots of interesting history up that way. By the way, do you have a Mac on the lake? We passed an X, who was out sailing just above the State Park, on our way in last Wednesday afternoon. Was that you by any chance?
I am the owner and winemaker there.
Might be about two years away for us but I guarantee a drop in and will include a wee tasting or two (bit early to put anything on ice yet). We're in the heart of winecountry Niagara, so I've come to appreciate the rites of Bachus - perhaps more than I should.