Washington's Lake Chelan

Washington 5-Day Waterfalls Excursion
DAY FOUR

Today was our official diversion. We spent the entire day on and around Lake Chelan. We boarded the Lady of the Lake II, the largest - and slowest - vessel in the Lake Chelan Boat Company's fleet, and cruised up the incredibly beautiful and tranquil Lake Chelan to Stehekin. There we boarded their special tour bus for a short ride to 

Day Four Itinerary

• Depart Boat Company Dock - 8:30a

• Depart Manson - 9:00a

• Depart Fields Point - 9:45a

• Depart Prince Creek - 11:00a

• Depart Lucern ('Port of Holden') - 11:45a

• Depart Moore Point - 12:15p

• Arrive Stehekin - 12:30p

• Rainbow Falls - Lake Chelan National Recreation Area - 1:00p

• Depart Stehekin - 2:00p

• Depart Moore Point - 2:15p

• Depart Lucern ('Port of Holden') - 2:30p

• Depart Prince Creek - 3:15p

• Depart Fields Point - 4:45p

• Depart Manson - 5:30p

• Arrive Boat Company Dock - 6:00p

• Best Western Lakeside Lodge - Chelan - 6:10p

Rainbow Falls - Lake Chelan National Recreation Area - 1:00p
312 ft - heavy flow - 20-35 ft wide tiered with multiple plunges plus cascade at bottom

The visit to view Rainbow Falls is truly a unique experience. The journey starts at the Lake Chelan Boat Company dock when you board one of their trans-lake cruisers. We chose the largest - and slowest - of their fleet, Lady of the Lake II, which cruises leisurely up the lake stopping at the many ports of call on the way. The majestic mountains crowding both lake shores give the strong impression of a Norwegian Fjord and the drone of the Captain's voice, reciting old Indian legends and other bits of local history, served to totally relax us. That trip, alone, made coming here so very worthwhile.

Upon landing at Stehekin, we boarded the bus which took us up the valley to the viewing area for Rainbow Falls (only a 3.5 mile trip each way). Then we returned the same way we came.

Rainbow Falls is one of the most impressive falls in Washington. Created when an ancient glacier scraped out the walls of the Stehekin River Valley leaving Rainbow Creek, a tributary, hanging high above the valley floor. Sediment and debris at the lower end created a natural dam which, in 1927, was supplemented by a dam to raise the lake level another 21 feet or so. This was, "to obtain extra 'hrdropower' to generate electricity for the power-hungry West Coast." The Lake is said to be at least 1,500 feet deep which puts the bottom at at least 400 feet below sea level.

No roads connect the Stehekin Valley with Chelan and Washington's road system; access is by boat, float plane, or trail.

Faster boats are available (at higher costs, of course) which can cruise up to 50+ mph. If desired, you can dart from the Chelan end of the 50 mile long lake to the Stehekin end in only one hour. We came here to relax and enjoy the scenery - and that we did!

Photos of Lake Chelan scenery by Jim Hasstedt:
Lake Chelan

Chelan Riverwalk Park - Chelan - 7:15p

The Riverwalk is a 1-mile scenic loop trail which follows the riverbank. It is particularly enjoyable in the evening just before sunset.

Best Western Lakeside Lodge - Chelan - 8:00p
2312 W Woodin Ave
End of DAY FOUR

This, of course, was our second night here. 

For more information and reservations, go to:
Best Western Lakeside Lodge

Afterthoughts:

The high point today, if there really was one, was Rainbow Falls. Actually, the cruise up and back on Lake Chelan was very enjoyable, - more than that; it was a chance to recharge our physiological and mental batteries which have been sorely drained over the past three days. We agreed that Lake Chelan is well worth a trip in itself and Rainbow Falls is not an essential ingredient. There is much to do around here - especially for the younger folks.

Washington 5-Day Waterfalls Excursion

• Introduction
• Olympic Peninsula (Day One)
• Mount Rainier Area (Day Two)
• Washington's Alpine Wilderness (Day Three)
• Lake Chelan (Day Four)
• Northern Cascades (Day Five)
• Miscellaneous notes and rationalizations

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