Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan NRA https://www.nps.gov/lach/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Chelan_National_Recreation_Area Lake Chelan National Recreation Area is located about 35 miles (56 km) south of the Canada–US border in Chelan County, Washington. It encompasses the northern end of Lake Chelan and the surrounding area of the Stehekin Valley and the Stehekin River. Lake Chelan NRA is adjacent to the North Cascades National Park South Unit. There are no roads that lead into Lake Chelan NRA. The recreation area and Stehekin, a small town located within the park with fewer than 100 permanent residents, are accessible only by floatplane or passenger ferry from the south end of Lake Chelan near the town of Chelan, Washington. The area can also be accessed by hiking trails through the Cascade Range during the summer months. During the summer, an off-road bus service operated by the NPS carries weary hikers to the town from the Pacific Crest Trail. Wildland Fire in Douglas Fir: Western United States Douglas fir is widely distributed throughout the western United States, as well as southern British Columbia and northern Mexico. Douglas fir is able to survive without fire, its abundantly-produced seeds are lightweight and winged, allowing the wind to carry them to new locations where seedlings can be established. Close-up of Douglas fir bark and needles.

NORTH CASCADES AND MT. BAKER VISITOR INFORMATION GUIDE South of Fisher Basin North Cascades National Park Recreational Opportunities page 2 Trip Planning and Safety page 3 Baker Lake and Mt. Baker Scenic Byway pages 4 - 5 North Cascades Highway pages 6 - 7 Welcome to National Park and National Forest lands in the North Cascades. Located east of I-5, there are many opportunities for you to enjoy this area with relatively easy access by several major highways. Starting up north: take a drive on the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway (State Route 542). This route starts in Bellingham, winds along the North Fork of the Nooksack River, and, from the town of Glacier, climbs 24 miles to an elevation of 5,100 feet at Artist Point in Heather Meadows. This destination is legendary for spectacular views of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan and surrounding peaks. For other stunning vistas, follow the northern part of the Cascade Loop along the North Cascades Scenic Highway (State Route 20). A side trip up the Baker Lake Road, 16 miles east of Sedro-Woolley, leads into the Baker Lake Basin, which hosts campgrounds, water recreation and numerous trails. The 125-mile Skagit Wild and Scenic River System – made up of segments of the Skagit, Cascade, Sauk, and Suiattle Rivers – provides important wildlife habitat and recreation. The Skagit is home to one of the largest winter populations of bald eagles in the United States and provides spawning grounds for one-third of all salmon in Puget Sound. The North Cascades Scenic Highway travels through the gateway communities of Concrete, Rockport, and Marblemount before reaching Ross Lake National Recreation Area within North Cascades National Park Complex. Along the way, visit the North Cascades Visitor Center near Newhalem and many viewpoints above Gorge, Diablo and Ross lakes, which offer pristine perspectives of surrounding peaks. These mountains are home to more than 300 glaciers in the park and over 600 in the ecosystem. Further to the east, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area features the third deepest lake in the nation. Gaze into the clear waters of Lake Chelan as you boat to the remote community of Stehekin and the Golden West Visitor Center. North Cascades National Park Complex pages 8 - 10 Enjoy your visit. Be safe and be prepared. NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK COMPLEX MT. BAKER RANGER DISTRICT USFS 810 STATE ROUTE 20 SEDRO-WOOLLEY, WA 98284-1239 Key Partners and Volunteer Opportunities page 11 FIND MORE INFO AT: www.nps.gov/noca www.fs.usda.gov/mbs Banner photo: Courtesy of William Clark. Right: FS. Bottom: NPS/Bender Sidebar photos, from top down: David Snyder for the NPS, Snyder, FS, Snyder, Clark, Snyder EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™ 2 North Cascades and Mt. Baker Visitor Information Guide Explore, Experience and Enjoy HIKING TRAILS AND CLIMBING PEAKS Hundreds of miles of trails lead into the North Cascades. Storm damage may affect your trip, so check trail conditions before you leave home. Most long hikes and climbs enter designated Wilderness Areas where special restrictions may apply. Climbers should choose experienced partners or licensed guides. GO FISHING Fishing in Washington, including in National Parks and Forests, requires a valid Washington State fishing license. In the National Forest, Baker Lake is a popular destination for salmon and trout fishing. The Skagit River, one of Washington’s major rivers, is home to seven species of anadromous fish (all five species of Pacific salmon and two types of trout) and freshwater trout and char. Visit the National Park and National Forest web sites for current recreation reports and climbing information. In the National Park, Diablo and Gorge Lakes have been stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout. Ross Lake offers quality sport fishing opening annually on July 1. Lake Chelan has freshwater cod, trout and kokanee, a land-locked species of salmon. The Stehekin River offers rainbow and cutthroat trout. Comply with special regulations listed in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Sport Fishing Regulations, available wherever licenses are sold and online at: wdfw.wa.gov BACKCOUNTRY WATER RECREATION River floating is an excellent adventure to plan. Experienced boaters run National Forest: Backcountry camping does not require a permit, but a Northwest Forest Pass is needed at many trailheads. Campers in the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area and some areas of the Wilderness must camp at designated sites. Campfires are not allowed in most backcountry areas and seasonal fire restrictions may apply. National Park: Free permits are required for overnight stays in both backcountry camps and cross-country zones and are issued in person only on a first-come, first-served basis. There are more than 200 backcountry camping sites, from boat-in sites to high alpine backpacking sites. Backcountry camping is allowed only at established sites. Camps include pit toilets, tent pads and in some cases, tables and fire pits. Disper

“Boat in” Campgrounds A Federal Dock Permit is required to use any USFS or NPS dock on Lake Chelan — May 1 to October 31 U.S. Forest Service Corral Creek 8.9 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park. Elevation 1140'. Floating dock, 6 boat capacity. 5 tent sites. Dock permit required. Two picnic tables, three fire rings and one toilet Deer Point 3.6 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park. Elevation 1140'. Floating dock, 8 boat capacity. 5 tent sites. Dock permit required. Picnic tables, fire rings and two toilets. Good shelter from down-lake winds but no protection from up-lake winds. Domke Falls Prince Creek 15.4 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park. Elevation 1140'. Floating dock, 3 boat capacity. 6 tent sites. Dock permit required. Five fire rings, five picnic tables, three toilets and bear box. Refrigerator Harbor 21.1 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park. Elevation 1140'. 4 boat capacity, 1 shelter. 4 tent sites. Dock permit required. Accessible year-round. Four picnic tables, four fire rings, shelter and two toilets. Good down-lake wind protection but no protection from uplake winds. Safety Harbor 5.5 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park. Elevation 1140'. Floating dock, 6 boat capacity. 4 tent sites. Dock permit required. Two picnic tables, two fire rings, shelter and one toilet. Good shelter from both up and downlake winds. “Drive to” Campgrounds No campgrounds on Chelan Ranger District are reservable. Antilon Lake 14 miles from Chelan at the north end of Antilon Lake. Elevation 2400'. Dispersed sites. Trailers not advised. No fee. Vault toilets, no campfire rings or picnic tables. Bring drinking water and pack out all garbage. Grouse Mountain 11 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park on FS Road 5900. Elevation 4425'. 4 tent sites. Trailers not advised. No fee. No water. Pit toilets, campfire rings and picnic tables. Heavily used during hunting season. Handy Springs national park Service Graham Harbor Flick Creek 16 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park on FS Road 5900. Elevation 6600'. 5 tent sites. Trailers not advised. No fee. No water. Viewpoint, pit toilets, campfire rings, and picnic tables. Manley Wham 3.5 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park on FS Road 8410. Elevation 2000'. 7 single sites. 2 double sites. Accessible to all but largest RV’s. $10/night (extra vehicle $8). Water, picnic tables, campfire rings and vault toilets. Graham Harbor creek 12.6 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park. 1 fixed dock with 4 boat capacity. Dock permit required. 4 tent sites, picnic tables, fire rings and 2 toilets. Lucerne 21 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park. Elevation 1140'. Dock and boat basin, 11 boat capacity. 3 tent sites. Dock permit required. Picnic tables, fire rings and two toilets. Adjacent to Forest Service Guard Station. Mitchell Creek 3.7 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park. Elevation 1140'. Dock and 17 boat capacity. 1 shelter. Dock permit required. Seven picnic tables, seven fire rings and two toilets. Popular picnic area. Moore Point 23.8 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park. Elevation 1140'. Fixed dock, 3 boat capacity. 1 shelter. Dock permit required. Four picnic tables, four campfire rings, shelter, two toilets and bear box. 25.8 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park. Elevation 1140'. Floating dock, 4 boat capacity. 2 tent sites. Dock permit required. One fire rings, a picnic table, one toilet and a communal food storage locker. 27.2 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park. Floating dock, 2 boat capacity. 2 tent sites. Dock permit required. 1 shelter, 1 picnic table, a fire rings and 1 toilet. Purple Point 28.3 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park, 0.3 miles from Stehekin Landing. Floating dock, 15 boat capacity. 6 tent sites. Dock permit required. 6 picnic tables and 1 flush toilet. Stehekin Landing 28 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park, 1 large dock with 3 sections, 45 boat capacity. Provides access to Stehekin. No campground. Dock permit required. Weaver Point 29 miles from 25-Mile Creek State Park, 0.3 miles from Stehekin Landing. 2 floating docks, 16 boat capacity. 16 ten