Slidewaters water park features water slides for all ages and thrill-seeker levels, a lazy river, fun water features, shaded hangout areas and dining options, and a new surf wave that opened in 2021.

Water Slides for Thrill Seekers & Beginners

For those looking for a thrill, Slidewaters has several longer, steeper slides. The Blue Blaster features turns and drops on its 300-foot-long run. Sidewinder hits riders with a 360 turn right out of the gate followed by multiple quick drops, turns and a tunnel. Aptly-named Corkscrew includes multiple 360 turns, fast drops, a tunnel, and final big-splash finale in the pool.

There are also several beginner and intermediate level slides. Bonzai Pipeline is a favorite for parents and children to slide together. The slide offers gentle turns, soft drops, and a fun 360 degree turn before splashing down into the main pool above a waterfall. The short and straight Bug-A-Boo is perfect for parents and toddlers to slide together or for brave young ones to slide solo with a catch at the bottom. Squirt Gun is a few more steps up the hill and offers a quick drop and a sharp turn for those kids ready for a little speed.

Whitewater and Run Amuck are intermediate slides perfect for parents and young kids who want to slide together, race a friend, or just enjoy a short, fast slide with quick turns. With the exception of Bonzai, all of these beginner and intermediate slides end in the intermediate splash down pool. 

Tube Slides

A tube slide classic, Thunder Rapids Tube Ride is one of the most popular slides in the park because it provides a unique experience every time. Ride in your own tube and with a group of up to four people. Enjoy multiple chutes, slides and shallow pools as you work your way down over 75 feet of vertical drop before the final crash into the catch pool at the bottom. (Sliders must be 48 inches tall to ride.)The Tube Blaster fits single and double tubes for riders who can handle over 400 feet of slide at high speeds. The run includes multiple 360 degree turns and a surprise shower at the end. (Must be 48 inches tall or able to swim or wearing a life-saving flotation device to ride.)

High-Speed Action with the Downhill Racer

With three lanes of racing excitement, the Downhill Racer entices competition, friendly wages, and trash talk as guests race on this head-first mat slide. Enjoy a dramatic drop to start the race. Then pick up speed over two more drops before racing to the finish line on the long run out. (Sliders must be 48 inches tall to race.)

Slide in the Pitch Dark on Purple Haze

For the most adventurous sliders, Purple Haze is the fastest slide and is a completely enclosed, pitch-black slide from start to finish. Plunge through 400 feet of twists, turns, and drops before dumping out into the light and water simultaneously.

Lazy River

Enjoy views of Lake Chelan while you float around the water park on a tube. Added in 2012, enjoy laid-back floating along a 500-foot river. Ease into the river through the large zero-depth area or via the stairs by the Downhill racer.

Zero Depth Beach

Home to the 150-gallon tipping bucket and numerous other spray features, the zero-depth zone is great for all ages. Young guests love to play in the spray features coming out of the ground, and older kids love the water from above options. Keep an eye on the tipping bucket though, because a surprise tip can knock any guest down into the water!

Massive Hot Tub

Heated to over 100 degrees, this 60-person, flower-shaped hot tub is the perfect place to take a break from sliding and relax your muscles.

Activity Pool

Some kids (old and young) just need a spot to splash around in the water. Located next to the exit of Thunder Rapids, this is the pool to jump, swim, dive, and play your favorite pool games.

Kids’ Aqua Zoo

A special attraction attraction designed to entertain guests under 48 inches, the Aqua Zoo has two kid-friendly animal slides, a whale with an active spout, and a teeter-totter with a spraying surprise. The fun for everyone mushroom waterfall is located next to the Aqua Zoo.

Try Surfing at Lakeside Surf

The new stationary wave at Lakeside Surf  that opened in 2021 happens to be the largest of its kind in the world. The 54-foot wide, deep-water stationary wave is up to six feet tall and allows surfers to ride across the wave as the water rushes by. The wave can be set up for a wide range of ability levels, from beginners to expert surfers. You’ll need to book any surf sessions at Lakeside Surf separately from your Slidewaters admission. Check out our full article covering our visit of the opening of Lakeside Surf here.

Other Slidewaters On-Land Activities & Attractions

Sand Volleyball: The sand at both of the professional-quality volleyball courts is imported for its low dust and texture. Set up a day of intense matches or just wander up for a pick-up game. Either way you won’t be disappointed by the court or the view.

Sun Deck and Lazy River Lounges: All lounges and tables with umbrellas are first-come, first-serve. The sun deck offers great views of both Slidewaters and Lake Chelan. At the Lazy River beach you’ll also find plenty of lounges, beach chairs, and tables. Perfect for families with little kids who just want to splash around in the zero-depth area of the Lazy River.

High Trek Chelan: Also new to the water park in 2021 is a ropes course and zip lines. Perched at the top of the park, this is the perfect complement for families looking for a little dry adventure! With over 60 challenging obstacles and 400 feet of zipline, this aerial adventure brings excitement and adventure for the whole family. This addition to Slidewaters is an excellent evening activity for after Slidewaters closes. Book your adventure now at hightrekchelan.com.

Book your tickets to Slidewaters today!

(Sponsored Content)

The post Slide & Surf at Slidewaters Water Park on Lake Chelan appeared first on Out There Venture.

Stehekin, Wash.

Bridge Creek to the Stehekin River is a remote, multi-day, self-supported whitewater run that takes kayakers through Washington State’s stunning North Cascades and down to Lake Chelan.

Typically, there is a narrow window in which the water level and snowpack conditions allow for this section of water to be paddled. So, when a friend called on a Monday in Mid-July to let me know that it would be in by the weekend, I packed enough gear for three to four days into my kayak and headed west.

We had planned on starting the 4-mile hike in midafternoon, but were delayed due to traffic. We started the trek just after sunset with headlamps on, carrying gear and kayaks.

The next morning, we woke up to discover that the small tributary creek we had planned on using as the put-in location was too low; so we packed up and hiked another mile or so to find enough water.

Bridge Creek starts off as a shallow and slow Class II with lots of wood and rock pin hazards in the current. As we got farther downstream, the water provided by the tributaries and additional gradient helped us warm up for the canyon below with some fun Class III-IV drops.

We had a few hours of paddling, taking in the views, and enjoying the sight of large snow deposits along the side of the river.

Hearing the sound of the approaching falls known as Sieve Falls, we knew that things were about to pick up. The portage around Sieve Falls takes some teamwork to get all gear up the steep canyon wall to a narrow and exposed trail that leads to the seal launch just below the falls.

Once back on the water, it was time to have some fun. We prepared for some adventurous Class IV-V whitewater. It was the perfect warm, blue-sky July day for eddy hopping down the steep boulder gardens and taking in the epic views.

After a long day, we reached the confluence of the Stehekin River and set camp to rest.

The next morning, the Stehekin River provided some bigger style rapids. It slowly builds from Class III, then provides some super fun Class IV rapids, and finishes with Tumwater Canyon.

We opted to camp near the confluence of Agnes Creek in hopes that it too would be at a good flow and that we could spend an extra day to hike up the creek and run the falls in the upper canyon.

Unfortunately, after hiking a short distance up Agnes, it was apparent that the water level was too high, and we decided to save that one for another day.

Our third day on the water was a mellow paddle down to the town of Stehekin at the north end of Lake Chelan. Of course, we had to pull over on the riverbank, hike up to the small bakery, and get a warm breakfast before finishing the paddle to the Lady of the Lake Ferry. 

We relaxed on the ferry ride back to Chelan, Washington, where we had left our vehicles and enjoyed a warm meal that didn’t start out dehydrated in a bag.

Originally published as “Trip Report: Kayaking Bridge Creek to Stehekin” in the January-February 2022 issue.

Visit the OTO archives to find more stories about Lake Chelan, North Cascades, Stehekin, or kayaking.

The post Trip Report: North Cascades Whitewater Kayaking appeared first on Out There Venture.

Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan has been Washington state’s favorite family getaway resort since 1901 and is a great launchpad to enjoy all that the region has to offer.

The historic downtown waterfront had private beaches and many acres to roam. From here, the following lakeside activities are nearby and abundant.

1. Take an E-bike tour of Lake Chelan.

Chelan Electric Bikes offers several tours of the scenic landscapes where local grapes are grown. The electric bicycles let riders be a part of the landscape and also offer an easy assist on the hills. There are several tour options, the most classic one being the four-hour, wine-focused casual and scenic pedal. Visit three enchanting wineries, sip fabulous wine, and ride about 18 miles. There’s also a family tour option that skips the wineries and focuses on swimming holes and wildlife sightings.

2. Paddleboard tour around Lake Chelan.

There is no better way to enjoy the lake than launching into the water. Rent a paddle board from Lake Rider Sports in downtown Chelan (509-885-4767).

Choose from traditional paddleboards or get funky with the Supsquatch, a one-of-a-kind standup paddleboard that can hold up to 14 people. The Supsquatch makes for a casual, fun day on the water.

Those more interested in a workout can rent a board and cruise as far as the eye can see.

3. Hike or bike for views.

Fourteen major trailheads provide starting points for 250 miles of maintained summer trails near the town of Chelan.

One great option is the Echo Ridge trail system, which contains almost 25 miles of trails intertwined with roads. Originally designed for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing, the trails are perfect for mountain biking and hiking.

There are wide, easy trails suitable for all ages, and technical singletrack for the more adventurous. Expect to see great views of Lake Chelan, the Stewart Range, Okanogan Highlands, and Columbia Plateau.

For those who want to stick close to town, the Riverwalk Park Loop Trail is a 1-mile pathway that loops between the two bridges that span the Chelan River, in historic downtown Chelan. There are shaded benches all along the trail.

4. Fly above it all.

Paraglide Chelan offers first-time flyers the freedom and the thrill of flight. Flyers are securely attached to their instructors, which makes it possible to relax and enjoy the ride. A tandem paraglide flight is a unique and immersive way to see the area.

They employ US Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association instructors, who make every flight safe, fun, and unforgettable. Pilots from all over the world also travel to Chelan every year for national and world competitions.

5. Take a wine-tasting tour.

Taking a tasting tour around the Chelan area is a great way to explore the area and enjoy some amazing wine and food.

Vin Du Lac, French for wine of the lake, offers a beautiful view, an array of award-winning wines, a farm-to-table bistro menu, and a setting ideal for relaxation, enjoyment, and events. All wine grapes at Vin Du Lac are hand harvested and fermented in small batches, and the live music scene is hard to beat.

Tunnel Hill Winery offers a stone cottage tasting room, built from the rubble of the old Knapps Hill Tunnel just up the hill. Thus their tasting room, like their wine, is sturdy, solid, and very much from the earth.

Karma Vineyard boasts 14 acres of selected varietals including Gewürztraminer, syrah, pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay, and pinot meunier. Known for its sparkling wine, Karma Vineyards was the first vineyard in Chelan to cane prune pinot noir grapes.

Each year Chelan’s One Wines offers a simpler approach to wine. Instead of creating multiple reds and whites, they make three great wines per year—one red, one white, and one rose.

Wapato Point Cellars offers a delightful evening at the winemaker’s grill with an exquisite selection of delicious menu items on their ever-changing fresh sheet. Dine in the restaurant or al fresco on the outdoor patio.

Radiance Winery Tasting Room is a family-owned winery and tasting room that specializes in balanced, radiant wines true to varietal and vineyard source.

Alta Cellars owner and winemaker Jay Pederson has been a commercial fisherman for most of his life. Today he runs Alta Cellars, which features very limited release quantities of premium red wines with special attention to Bordeaux-inspired varietals.

Obviously not a winery, but Lake Chelan Brewery is worth a stop to sample some of the five flagship beers and 11 seasonal beers. An onsite pub serves burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads.

Find more stories about Lake Chelan in the OTO archives.

Learn about other lake destinations and recreation in the 2021 Inland Northwest Lake Guide.

The post 5 Ways to Experience Lake Chelan appeared first on Out There Venture.

Slidewaters water park features water slides for all ages and thrill-seeker levels, a lazy river, fun water features, shaded hangout areas and dining options, and even a new surf wave.

Water Slides for Thrill Seekers & Beginners

For those looking for a thrill, Slidewaters has several longer, steeper slides. The Blue Blaster features turns and drops on its 300-foot-long run. Sidewinder hits riders with a 360 turn right out of the gate followed by multiple quick drops, turns and a tunnel. Aptly-named Corkscrew includes multiple 360 turns, fast drops, a tunnel, and final big-splash finale in the pool.

There are also several beginner and intermediate level slides. Bonzai Pipeline is a favorite for parents and children to slide together. The slide offers gentle turns, soft drops, and a fun 360 degree turn before splashing down into the main pool above a waterfall. The short and straight Bug-A-Boo is perfect for parents and toddlers to slide together or for brave young ones to slide solo with a catch at the bottom. Squirt Gun is a few more steps up the hill and offers a quick drop and a sharp turn for those kids ready for a little speed.

Whitewater and Run Amuck are intermediate slides perfect for parents and young kids who want to slide together, race a friend, or just enjoy a short, fast slide with quick turns. With the exception of Bonzai, all of these beginner and intermediate slides end in the intermediate splash down pool. 

Tube Slides

A tube slide classic, Thunder Rapids Tube Ride is one of the most popular slides in the park because it provides a unique experience every time. Ride in your own tube and with a group of up to four people. Enjoy multiple chutes, slides and shallow pools as you work your way down over 75 feet of vertical drop before the final crash into the catch pool at the bottom. (Sliders must be 48 inches tall to ride.)The Tube Blaster fits single and double tubes for riders who can handle over 400 feet of slide at high speeds. The run includes multiple 360 degree turns and a surprise shower at the end. (Must be 48 inches tall or able to swim or wearing a life-saving flotation device to ride.)

High-Speed Action with the Downhill Racer

With three lanes of racing excitement, the Downhill Racer entices competition, friendly wages, and trash talk as guests race on this head-first mat slide. Enjoy a dramatic drop to start the race. Then pick up speed over two more drops before racing to the finish line on the long run out. (Sliders must be 48 inches tall to race.)

Slide in the Pitch Dark on Purple Haze

For the most adventurous sliders, Purple Haze is the fastest slide and is a completely enclosed, pitch-black slide from start to finish. Plunge through 400 feet of twists, turns, and drops before dumping out into the light and water simultaneously.

Lazy River

Enjoy views of Lake Chelan while you float around the water park on a tube. Added in 2012, enjoy laid-back floating along a 500-foot river. Ease into the river through the large zero-depth area or via the stairs by the Downhill racer.

Zero Depth Beach

Home to the 150-gallon tipping bucket and numerous other spray features, the zero-depth zone is great for all ages. Young guests love to play in the spray features coming out of the ground, and older kids love the water from above options. Keep an eye on the tipping bucket though, because a surprise tip can knock any guest down into the water!

Massive Hot Tub

Heated to over 100 degrees, this 60-person, flower-shaped hot tub is the perfect place to take a break from sliding and relax your muscles.

Activity Pool

Some kids (old and young) just need a spot to splash around in the water. Located next to the exit of Thunder Rapids, this is the pool to jump, swim, dive, and play your favorite pool games.

Kids’ Aqua Zoo

A special attraction attraction designed to entertain guests under 48 inches, the Aqua Zoo has two kid-friendly animal slides, a whale with an active spout, and a teeter-totter with a spraying surprise. The fun for everyone mushroom waterfall is located next to the Aqua Zoo.

Try Surfing at Lakeside Surf

The new stationary wave at Lakeside Surf  happens to be the largest of its kind in the world. The 54-foot wide, deep-water stationary wave is up to six feet tall and allows surfers to ride across the wave as the water rushes by. The wave can be set up for a wide range of ability levels, from beginners to expert surfers. You’ll need to book any surf sessions at Lakeside Surf separately from your Slidewaters admission. Check out our full article about Lakeside Surf here.

Other Slidewaters On-Land Activities & Attractions

Sand Volleyball: The sand at both of the professional-quality volleyball courts is imported for its low dust and texture. Set up a day of intense matches or just wander up for a pick-up game. Either way you won’t be disappointed by the court or the view.

Sun Deck and Lazy River Lounges: All lounges and tables with umbrellas are first-come, first-serve. The sun deck offers great views of both Slidewaters and Lake Chelan. At the Lazy River beach you’ll also find plenty of lounges, beach chairs, and tables. Perfect for families with little kids who just want to splash around in the zero-depth area of the Lazy River.

High Trek Chelan: Also new to the water park in 2021 is a ropes course and zip lines. Perched at the top of the park, this is the perfect complement for families looking for a little dry adventure! With over 60 challenging obstacles and 400 feet of zipline, this aerial adventure brings excitement and adventure for the whole family. This addition to Slidewaters is an excellent evening activity for after Slidewaters closes. Book your adventure now at hightrekchelan.com.

Book your tickets to Slidewaters today!

(Sponsored Content)

The post Slidewaters Water Park—Family Fun & Thrills at Lake Chelan appeared first on Out There Venture.

Lakeside Surf, the new surf wave on the shores of Lake Chelan, is the world’s largest stationary wave located on hills above the lake at the Slidewaters water park. The surf wave works like a river surfing wave, where the wave feature, built into the pool, stays put and the water rushes past you as you ride back and forth across the pool. And rest assured that stationary wave is fun, fast, and rippable.

Both times I visited this spring, surfers were all smiles and eager to get back onto the pool deck to catch their next wave of engineered perfection at the end of every ride.

I got my first introduction to Lakeside Surf at a pre-opening press event, where local rippers and aspiring international super-stars were showing what is possible. Airs, 360s, and round house cutbacks were performed by some of the greatest surfers in the Northwest and beyond.  By the end of the weekend my legs were burning, my stoke was high, and I had already pulled out my credit card to book additional sessions for opening weekend.

It would be a couple of weeks before I was back at Lakeside Surf for my newly purchased surf sessions, and so I headed to the Pacific Ocean to surf my usual spot. Instantly I noticed my cutbacks and top turns were stronger and I was looser rail to rail as a result of my Lakeside waves. I couldn’t believe how much my Lakeside wave time transferred to better ocean surfing.

Learning to surf is difficult, and it’s a life-long pursuit. For most of us, the time that the board is actually under your feet and you are engaging the fins into a wave is somewhat limited. So the concept of being able to ‘practice’ and get feedback to make improvements can be fleeting.

Lakeside Surf is a surf lab in which you can hone your craft in an environment that is free of the constraints of river levels, tide, wind, swell direction, cross chop, and dark of night.

As my next Lakeside Surf sessions approached, I contacted four friends of different surfing abilities to join me on the pool deck for a weekend of fun. It was surf day again at Lakeside, and I waited in the hot tub overlooking the wave and the snowcapped North Cascades.

One by one I saw my friend’s disbelief that we were going to session the longest standing wave in the world for the better part of the day.

Easy entry onto the wave from the side of the pool allowed my pals to begin to improve rapidly. They quickly corrected their board’s trim, got their feet in a more aggressive location, and began to make the transition to surfing rail to rail. Each subsequent ride gave way to pumping down the line, top-turns and cutbacks, only to see the 50 feet of green face open back for more and more turns.

That day on the pool deck the pros were replaced by aspiring surfers, wake boarders, and snow enthusiasts; everyone was happy and rallying.  

The wave at Lakeside Surf is fun for everyone from beginners to seasoned wave riders. Staff on the edge of the pool offer assistance and tips, and boards are provided as part of your paid 45-minute surf sessions.

Pre-book your 12-person or private sessions at Lakesidesurf.com.

Learn more about lake destinations and recreation in the 2021 Inland Northwest Lake Guide.

The post Surfing at Lake Chelan appeared first on Out There Venture.

At night, firework shows burst across the lake, bedazzling the sky with explosions of color. Local businesses also get into the spirit with tasting specials and bonfires. The whole experience feels like an extension of the holiday season. 

Nearby Manson is so small it doesn’t have a stoplight. But the absence of infrastructure doesn’t limit its hospitality or culinary might; in fact, the little town contributes just as much to the Winterfest vibe as its larger cousin Chelan. 

A stay at Manson’s Mountain View Lodge and Resort positions you in the middle of the Winterfest magic. This year’s offerings will be of a different nature and will be COVID compliant.

Check Lakechelan.com for more event details.  

The post Lake Chelan Winter Fest appeared first on Out There Venture.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I saw a young father clutching his squirming toddler. Mom slid a few feet down a gentle slope to demonstrate the art of skiing while the child surveyed the situation with a stern and confused look. A hot chocolate was almost certainly in the child’s future. Good thing a kid’s size one only costs $1 at Terri’s Treats, Echo Valley’s lodge and eatery with a roaring fireplace and ski-hill classics like homemade chili smothered with a generous helping of melted cheese.  

As I clicked into my skis, I chatted with another parent who sipped a steaming cup of coffee outside the lodge. From his stance he could see most of the hill and watched one of his elementary-aged kids pizza furiously down the slope. This father and Echo Valley regular says, “It works out good. We stay here in the morning then head to basketball practice later. This is only 10 minutes from the house.” 

Its motto, “Where Chelan learns to ski,” is modest compared to modern resort marketing standards, and Echo Valley clearly accomplishes its goal. I was surrounded by squeaky little voices chirping, giggling, and occasionally crying after plunging face first into the snow during a failed rope tow dismount.  

One of three rope tows dragged me a few hundred feet upward too. I could have descended here or traversed over to the poma, which ascends to the ski hill’s highpoint. After choosing to traverse and ascend, I watched a group of college-age students cruise down the hill, playfully hooting and hollering like it was a powder day in the North Cascades rather than a slushy day on the modest slopes of Echo. The snowboarder’s parents live in Chelan, and he brought his friends along to escape the West-side rain. They take photos, catch tiny airs, and lounge at the top to gaze over the quiet, snow-capped wilderness.  

Echo Valley feels like one of the best parts of America’s past magically transported into the present, like vintage merry-go-rounds in public parks or restored Wonder Bread ads painted on 19th century brick buildings. It evokes an era when people said hello to strangers as they passed on the sidewalk, and when volunteerism was deeply integrated into civic life. 

Keith Carpenter, a former and long-time ski club president at Echo Valley and a still-active board member would a agree that it’s a special place, but he knows the secret behind the magic: an all-hands-on-deck level of community collaboration and stubborn faith in what’s good for the town. He’s seen dozens of ski hills shut down over the years and was around to make sure Echo Valley wasn’t one of them. 

“A lot of them [community ski hills] were lost to a big insurance run up in the 70s. It came about because of free style or hotdog skiing and people were doing things like inverted aerials, back flips, and those kinds of things. A lot of spinal injuries resulted in really high settlements against insurance companies.” 

Carpenter estimates that half the ski areas in America went under in the 70s and 80s. Today, there’s fewer than 20 ski hills and resorts in the state of Washington.  A glance at a Wiki called “Lost Ski Areas of WASHINGTON” shows that, at one time, there were at least 48. In fact, Echo Valley’s equipment was sourced from other defunct ski hills. The poma came from Squilchuck, which used to operate just down the road from Mission Ridge near Wenatchee.  

The same spirit of volunteerism that gives us Girl Scouts and Rotary Clubs is what launched and helps preserve Echo Valley. The hill was born in the early 1950s when the Peterson family created a rope tow out of their tractor and pulled kids and friends up a hill in their orchard.  

A few years later, the founders migrated to a better hill and formed the Lake Chelan Ski Club in 1955. In 2004 the ski hill became an official Lion’s Club activity, providing access to a deep well of volunteers and an affordable insurance policy. The Lion’s Club also benefited as new community members joined the club out of a desire to be involved in the ski hill. 

I only needed a few runs that morning to get my fix of cold and speed for the day, and I left about the same time dad drove his kids to basketball practice. I dropped elevation and carefully cruised down Cooper Gulch Road toward Manson for Winterfest. The dose of comradery and sunshine put me in the spirit to eat, drink, and be merry.

Learn about “Lost Ski Hills of North Central Idaho.“

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The best thing about Stehekin is its remoteness. It is only accessible by boat or foot, and the few vehicles, like many of the houses, have a hardy, weather-beaten beauty. Once ashore, the crowds quickly dispersed, and we set off to check out the quaint resorts, cabins and backcountry trailheads. Even though it was a busy weekend, we walked for stretches without seeing a soul.

We opted for tent camping at a Forest Service campground a five minute walk from the dock, although you can also rent cabins. We cooked our meals on our backpacking stove and showered at the coin-op bath and laundry on Main Street. The second night we moved camp to an open spot right on the water, but the wind pummeled us all evening, as if to punish us for being too greedy.

The best way to get around Stehekin is by bike. You can bring your own bike on the ferry for $27 or rent them there in town for around $40 per bike. Most of the sights, activities and trailheads are scattered a few miles along the main road, but the reason you’ll want a bike is for quick access to the Stehekin Pastry Company. The bakery serves mouthwatering treats of all kinds. The Danish was my favorite, but they also have great coffee, pizza and ice cream, and sometimes it’s worth stopping in more than once a day. After hiking the popular Rainbow Loop, we staggered past the bakery again, ready for dinner. The pizza was tempting, but I ordered a second round of huckleberry ice cream.

We had heard about a fantastic garden called, strangely, The Garden, and we made a point to visit the small organic farm along the main road and try the fresh herb goat cheese and sesame crackers. After arriving, we wandered around until the famously barefoot owner, Karl Gaskill, strolled over. Besides offering honey, goat yogurt, crackers, and seasonal produce, the man was a pleasure to chat with. He told us great stories about his days running the wildly successful Honey Bear Bakery in Seattle and his return in 2000 to full-time gardening in sleepy Stehekin. We left with a jar of big leaf maple syrup and a new appreciation for the wonders of goat’s milk.

On the ferry ride to Stehekin, we had befriended two hikers, Mike and Scott, and Mike’s dog Irma, and our paths crossed all weekend long. We ran into them a half-dozen times. Scott had just returned from hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and one evening we shared beers and stories in the little picnic shelter, and our conversations kept returning to the joys of spending time in nature. We saw them again on the return ferry—this time on the faster Lady of the Lake, which was still a leisurely two-hour cruise. We shared goat yogurt and admired the vivid-green hillsides passing by us in the evening sunlight. That’s the thing about a one-road, remote lake town like Stehekin–you’re likely to come away with new friends and a new favorite place to escape the grind.

The post Back of Beyond: Stehekin Camping on Lake Chelan appeared first on Out There Venture.