Stehekin and the hike to Bowan Pass
I took the fast boat from Chelan that gets to Stehekin in a little over an hour, arriving just after 2pm. That afternoon I hiked a little ways in very hot temps - 90* - to the Rainbow Bridge campsite. The next day in cooler temps, it was just three miles to camp at Bench Creek, and that afternoon I did a long roundtrip hike to Bowan pass, about 5 miles away and 2700 feet up. After returning to Stehekin the next day, I took it east for a couple days, renting a bike and riding up canyon a ways.
That's my boat at the dock in Chelan - seats 40 and was about 1/3 full. My recommendation is to take the larger slower boats if you can.
The initial hike was a road walk, an the first mile was right next to Lake Chelan.
As you leave the lakeside, you get to the famous Stehekin Pastry Company, where I got a turkey sandwich late in the afternoon. A half mile after that I headed up the trail 2 miles in opposessively hot temperatures and sometimes shadeless burns to camp at Rainbow Bridge Camp
The next morning was cool as I continued up easy switchbacks
A nice viewpoint down on the lake also showing the storm blowing in with colder temperatures
A seasonal suspension bridge across Rainbow Creek at Rainbow Ford. Threse are removed for the winter and re-installed each spring. They are VERY WOBBLY!
After setting up camp at Bench Creek, I started the long hike to Bowan Pass. The camp is well above Rainbow Creek, so first you have to drop down and cross another wobbly suspension bridge. Then it is miles of switchbacks up through the forest, and then flat along the canyon. Finally you get to this meadow and can see your goal ahead.
A marmot hams it up in the talus
Looking down on Rainbow Lake
Approaching Bowan Pass
Looking back from the pass at Rainbow Lake and the Cascades. It started to drizzle pretty soon so I didn't hang out very long.
It never did more than drizzle and the storm blew out that night. The next day it was back down to Stehekin and the lowland heat.
Flora Peak and Castle Rock from near my campsite in the Lakeview Campground. Those summits are 7000 feet higher than the lake.
I rented a bicycle and the next morning, after a scone and muffin at the Pastry Company, I road up canyon on the road, which is partly paved and some gravel. This is Rainbow Falls.
The Stehekin River and North Cascades Peaks
Heading back, the marsh at the north end of the lake
