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Other Great Day Tours
A corner of Lake Chelan seen from about five miles away and across the Columbia River at the top of McNeil Canyon. This route from Grand Coulee to Chelan provides unusual and spectacular scenery, but requires good brakes.
Cruise North America’s Deepest Gorge
No trip to North Central Washington is complete without a tour of “North America’s Deepest Gorge” and the mountain community of Stehekin, at the headwaters of Lake Chelan. Just a little over an hour from Grand Coulee, Lake Chelan is an easy jaunt, though the far end of the lake is only accessible by boat or float plane, as there are no roads to the upper half of the lake. Not to worry, the “Lady of the Lake” provides year-round service and tours to the far end of this lake.
The boat trip takes you from the lower basin deep into the Cascades. The ultimate destination is the small isolated community of Stehekin, which sits at the head of the ancient lake, and at the foot of a mountain pass once used by Indians traveling on foot over the mountains. Stehekin is an old Indian word meaning “the way through.”
During your layover in Stehekin, make sure to enjoy one of the several valley tours offered. Reservations can be made in advance with the Lady of the Lake to ensure availability. The new “Lady Cat“ cuts the travel time to the other end, with speeds up to 50 miles per hour.
Lake Chelan Valley VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
The Lake Chelan Valley has long been a destination known for the cool, refreshing lake, warm summers and crisp winter days. Pleasure-seekers visit year-round to experience the friendly communities and abundant opportunities for recreation, Lake Chelan Valley especially during the summer, when the lake is at “full pool” and The Lake Chelan Valley has conditions are ideal for playing in long been a destination known the sun and water. for the cool, refreshing lake, Hikers, backpackers and campers flock to the idyllic valley, warm summers and crisp win ter days. Pleasure-seekers visit which is surrounded by parts year-round to experience the of North Cascades National friendly communities and abun Park, two national wilderness areas and Lake Chelan National dant opportunities for recreation, especially during the summer, VISITOR Recreation Area. when the lake is at “full pool” and In the resort community of conditions are ideal for playing in Lakeside Park Chelan, visitors will find lodging the sun and water. options and dining choices to fit every budget and palate. Chelan has been the choice for family vacations for Hikers, backpackers and Lake Chelan, but Dry, Roses, Antilon, and generations, many returning to the same hotels year after year. Water sports abound campers flock to the idyllic valley, which Wapato Lakes (great fishing locations) as from jet-skiing and pleasure boating to fishing and splashing around at one of the parks or resorts along the water’s edge. Another great way to enjoy a refreshing splash is at Slidewaters Waterpark, with a variety of slides, many designed for adults to ride with small children, a Lazy River, Thunder Rapids tube slide where you can group with is surrounded by parts of North Cascades National Park, two national wilderness ar eas and Lake Chelan National Recreation well. At the head of Lake Chelan is the remote friends, and even side-by-side racing, with a concession stand and more! Area. community of Stehekin, accessible only by
Seven miles from Chelan is the village of In the resort community of Chelan, visiManson, around which the majority of Lady of the Lake II and the Lady Express wineries and tasting rooms in the valley can be found. Downtown Manson sits on the edge of the lake, and a scenic drive through the vineyards and orchards surrounding the town offers views of not only Lake Chelan, but Dry, Roses, Antilon, and Wapato Lakes (great fishing locations) as well. tors will find lodging options and dining choices to fit every budget and palate. Chelan has been the choice for family offer daily service to Stehekin in the sum mer, and regular scheduled service all year. Choose a one-hour or a three-hour vacations for generations, many returnlayover in Stehekin, and enjoy the seren At the head of Lake Chelan is the remote community of Stehekin, accessible only by ing to the same hotels year after year. ity of this quiet mountain valley with a visit float plane or passenger ferry. The Lady of the Lake II and the Lady Express offer daily Water sports abound from jet-skiing and to the small shops at the landing, or take pleasure boating to fishing and splashing service to Stehekin the shuttle to view 312’ Rainbow Falls and around at one of the parks or resorts along the water’s edge. Another great way to enin the summer, and regular scheduled service all year. Stehekin’s One-Room Schoolhouse. During your layover, enjoy lunch at the Bakery joy a refreshing splash is at Slidewaters Choose a one-hour or or North Cascades Lodge. The longer layWaterpark, with a variety of slides, many a three-hour layover over allows time to rent a bicycle or Polaris designed for adults to ride with small chilin Stehekin, and Ranger and take your own tour, with a stop dren, a Lazy River, Thunder Rapids tube enjoy the serenity of slide where you can group with friends, this quiet mountain and even side-by-side racing, with a convalley with a visit to cession stand and more! the small shops at the landing, or take the shuttle to view 312’
Seven miles from Chelan is the village Rainbow Falls and Slidewaters Waterpark of Manson, around which the majority of Stehekin’s One-Room wineries and tasting rooms in the valley Schoolhouse. The can be found. Downtown Manson sits on
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021 at the bakery, and a visit to Historic Buck- longer layover allows time to rent a bicycle ner Orchard, or hike one of the trails for a and take your own tour, with a stop at the bakery, and a visit to Historic Buckner Orchard, or hike one of the trails for a grand view overlooking Lake Chelan and the Stehekin River. grand view overlooking Lake Chelan and the Stehekin River. Located near the center of Washington state, about 150 miles from Seattle or Spo - Located near the center of Washington kane, Lake Chelan is the deepest gorge state, about 150 miles from Seattle or Spokane, Lake Chelan is the deepest gorge in North America. Just over 50 in North America. Just over 50 miles long, the lake is fed by the Stehekin River at its miles long, the lake is fed by the Stehekin head, and over 27 glaciers of the Cascade River at its head, and over 27 glaciers of range. At its deepest point the lake is 1486 the Cascade range. At its deepest point feet deep, which puts the bottom 386 feet the lake is 1486 feet deep, which puts the below sea level; this depth occurs in the bottom 386 feet below sea level; this depth narrowest area of the lake, where it is less occurs in the narrowest area of the lake, where it is less than a mile wide. than a mile wide.
The warm summer days and crisp, cool The warm summer days and crisp, cool evenings create perfect growing conditions evenings create perfect growing conditions for fruit. Chelan’s apples have been known for fruit. Chelan’s apples have been known throughout the country since the Chicago throughout the country since the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. In recent years, vineyards have replaced some apple World’s Fair in 1893. In recent years, vine- yards have replaced some apple orchards, orchards, and the Lake Chelan AVA was and the Lake Chelan AVA was established established to reflect the unique qualities of to reflect the unique qualities of the wine the wine grapes grown in the valley. grapes grown in the valley.
For information about the Lake Chelan Boat Company and their fleet of passenger ferries and the scenic tour, call For information about the Lake Chelan Boat Company and their fleet of passen- (509) 682-4584 or visit ger ferries and the scenic tour, call www.ladyofthelake.com. (509) 682-4584 or visit www.ladyofthelake.com
