Recreational Activities in the Stehekin Valley

Browse through the Craft Shop
In “the landing” area, up the hill from North Cascades Stehekin
Lodge, is the locally run House That Jack Built. The House That Jack
Built is housed in a small log building originally located at the
head of the lake near the site of the Hotel Field. Jack Blankinship
dismantled this cabin and moved it to its present site. Hence the
name, the House that Jack Built.
The House that Jack Built is a local craft outlet. In its 27th year
of operation it features a colorful array of locally made craft
items. On duty you will find one of the craft persons eager to help
you and tell you about the items on sale there. Look for the craft
shop just outside the side door of the Golden West Visitor Center.

Horseback Riding Lessons Cascade Corrals is offering beginning and intermediate riding lessons on their adorable Fjord horses. This is a great opportunity and option for ages 5 and up. Rates are $40 an hour for one and $25 an hour each for two. The lessons are available at Stehekin Valley Ranch or the Bakery Corrals. Check in at the Courtney Log Office for more details and to schedule your lesson. Forest's Riding Lesson - a slide show.
Day Rides You have a choice of a morning or afternoon ride up a mountain trail to Coon Lake with some great views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Starting at Cascade Corrals, the standard ride takes three hours with a short break at the lake before you return to the ranch.Unfortunately, the minimum age is 8 years old and 41/2 feet tall, on the mountain trails. If you have small children they can be put on a horse and led, or let ride around the corrals to satisfy their cowboy desires. All rides are led by an experienced guide and there is no expertise required. They pride themselves in the disposition of their stock. For more information or to sign up for a trip, go to the Courtney Log Office at the landing or check at Stehekin Valley Ranch. Price is $43 per person.
Bike the Stehekin Valley There are two places renting bicycles in the landing area. The first you will come to is North Cascades Stehekin Lodge located across from the boat docks. Bicycles are located under the deck surrounding the Lodge complex. A variety of bicycle sizes plus burleys are available. An attendant is on duty to rent the bicycles for a few hours or a day or two.Discovery Bikes operates just outside the Courtney Log Office offering 18 and 21 speed mountain bike rental by the hour or day. These bikes will get you up-valley in relative ease and you can enjoy the valley sites at your leisure. There is simply no better way to see the deer grazing along the roadside as you silently approach on your mountain bike.A must-do for the overnight guest is the popular ranch breakfast ride. Discovery Bikes takes you and your bike from the Courtney Log Office to Stehekin Valley Ranch for a hearty camp breakfast. After that last cup of cowboy coffee, you are left to make your way down- valley (or continue on up-valley) on a well-maintained mountain bike. You will have plenty of time to stop along the way to view the vista of the Stehekin River, Rainbow Falls, the Old Stehekin School and even grab a snack at the Stehekin Pastry Company before completing your trip at the Courtney Log Office.
Guided Riding and Hiking Trips Narrated Bus Tours, Transportation, and Nature Walks Transportation, and Nature Walks
Kayak Tours Stehekin Adventure Co. offers 2 hour kayak tours of Lake Chelan's upper estuary starting at 10:00 a.m. every day of the week. We will paddle over old Stehekin and the site of the "Field Hotel" as we travel on to see the native pictographs along the western lakeshore. Cost: $30.00 each (includes instruction, single or double kayak, paddle, spray skirt, PFD and spray jacket when needed). Minimum of 2 persons and Maximum of 8. New Base Camps! Cascade Corrals has “engineered” an innovative way to once again access the high country of the upper Stehekin Valley, which saves backpacking miles for you and gets you to the high mountain trails faster. They have developed base camps at Bridge Creek and Cottonwood. You can ride a horse if you choose or let the horse carry the gear for you while you hike. They will host family trips, groups, clubs, or as few as four people at these base camps, with a choice of overnight stays from 1 to 6 nights. Hikers can choose from such hikes as Cascade Pass, Horseshoe Basin, Park Creek Pass, Goode Ridge and more.At the base camps you can sit back and take in the scenery. A backcountry chef will prepare your meals, and all camp gear is provided including a big cook-tent, sleeping tents, and a duffle bag for your personal gear and sleeping bag. Other Guided Trips: Cascade Corrals experienced outfitters offer a variety of horse- supported hiking and riding excursions. These trips range in length from a few hours to several days. As at the base camps mentioned above, meals and camp gear are provided. Instead of Hut to Hut, how about Tent to Tent? For hikers, Cascade Corrals is providing large outfitter tents with a wood stove, cots, and a kitchen stocked with staple food items such as dry mixes and canned goods at both Bridge Creek and Cottonwood camps. This saves hikers the trouble of carrying extra food and gear. For information on all of these activities, go to the Courtney Log Cabin Office. WORKSHOPS - 2006 FLICK CREEK WORKSHOPS The Barnharts conduct photography workshops and provide the facility for two writing seminars taught by local author Ana Maria Spagna and creative writing teacher, poet and essayist, Linda Cooper. Each workshop takes place at secluded Flick Creek House on upper Lake Chelan, near Stehekin. Designed and built by the Barnhart’s, the house offers an ideal setting for comfort, artistic pursuits and expansive views of Lake Chelan and the surrounding mountains. Three miles down the lake from Stehekin, the house lies in a private cove with no other houses in view. Electricity comes from a small water turbine. There are no phones or other distractions of city life, only the sound of Flick Creek and waves lapping at the sandy beach. A kayak and rowboat are available for your use. For photos and more information on the house go to www.stehekinvalley.com and click on Flick Creek House. For more workshop information go to www.barnhartphoto.com/workshops.htm