 |
Chelan Summit Trail a match for hikers with lofty ambitions
By KAREN SYKES ![[Bio]](../image/bio_bttn.gif){kind=small}
SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER
Awe is the only word that comes to mind in my attempt to describe my reaction to being on the trail. I didn't know the names of the flowers then, but the meadows were full of them and the ridges were guarded by gnarled trees that seemed to know they looked photogenic silhouetted against the sky.
We were hit by bad weather midway and I was in early-stage hypothermia. Archie had the cure -- a cup of hot Jell-O finally began to get me warm. On our last evening camped at Lake Juanita, we hiked the half-mile to Boulder Butte to watch a storm come in. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed around us most of the night in camp.
We dreaded the steep descent to Stehekin from Purple Pass, legendary for hundreds of switchbacks and hard on even the best knees. Worse, Archie warned of rattlesnakes on lower portions of the trail. We thought we'd never get there, and when we did, we stormed a restaurant, burying our faces in huge wedges of blueberry pie before catching a ride back to Chelan on the Lady of the Lake.
There are several approaches, depending on physical ability and how much time you can afford to spend. Experienced hikers seeking solitude can start from the 6-mile-long Summer Blossom Trail, which intersects the Chelan Summit Trail as we did. Motorbikes are not permitted on the Summer Blossom Trail and motorbike activity is the grim reality between Boiling Lake and South Navarre. The difficulty in starting from Summer Blossom is the road -- downright awful and sometimes closed. You also can start from South Navarre Campground (which can be accessed by a road from Chelan) or Prince Creek (from the Chelan Lakeshore Trail), but it's a steep climb.
If you are coming from Prince Creek, there are several side trips to consider: Visit Boiling Lake or Hoodoo Pass, but expect company at Boiling Lake (arrange to have the Lady of the Lake drop you off at Prince Creek). It is a steep climb, but there are many camps available and you'll leave motorbikes behind once you enter the Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness.
Depending on time available, you also can visit Oval Lakes, or climb Oval Peak, or continue to follow the crest with ups and downs through forest and rock gardens before descending to Lake Juanita at 6,665 feet. The mandatory side trip is a visit to Boulder Butte, site of a lookout at 7,350 feet. It's still a good place to watch gathering thunderstorms and you may even run into an occasional old gentleman like Archie who will greet you with a hot drink if you get caught by a storm.
Getting there
For Prince Creek feeder trail to Chelan Summit Trail, drive to Chelan and make reservations with the Lady of the Lake to be let off at Prince Creek and arrange for pickup at Stehekin for a loop trip.
Summer Blossom approach: This is a rough, steep trail for experienced hikers only. Those interested in pursuing this route should consult the guidebooks and maps (40-plus miles one way).
Trail detail
From Prince Creek to Lake Juanita/Purple Pass: Once you leave Prince Creek, there are camps at four, six, and eight miles from Lake Chelan (it's a 5,500-foot gain in 12 miles) to connect with the Chelan Summit Trail. Find the junction with the Middle Fork Prince Creek Trail and base camps for side trips (Hoodoo Pass or BoilingLake). The summit trail climbs to Chipmunk Pass and enters the Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness. The trail descends to its lowest point before climbing to a 7,400-foot pass. The trail drops to a junction with a trail to Fish Creek Pass with camping possibilities and side trips to Star Lake and/or scrambles to Star Peak or Courtney Peak. If you camp in Horseshoe Basin, there are several lakes worthy of side trips. The main trail rises to high passes and descends to Lake Juanita at 6,665 feet. Golden larch grows near the lake, which makes this is an ideal destination in the fall. Purple Pass and the 5,810-foot descent to Stehekin are about a half-mile away. Once you've reached Stehekin, return to Chelan on the Lady of the Lake. This loop is approximately 22 miles.
Juanita Lake from Stehekin: Very strong hikers can begin from Stehekin for a 5,810-foot climb to Lake Juanita in 7 1/2 miles. The Purple Creek Trail climbs from the north shore of Lake Chelan to the north end of the trail. The higher you climb, the better the views of Lake Chelan and across to North Mcgregor Mountain. Near Purple Pass are good views of mounts Logan and Goode. The main trail drops from Purple Pass to Lake Juanita, with a horse camp and another camp for people. As of June 22, there was snow on the last switchbacks before Purple Pass and snow patches in Juanita Basin. From Purple Pass to Boulder Butte, ice axes are recommended due to steepness and exposure.
Trail data
Summer Blossom Trail (No. 1258) to Chelan Crest Trail is about six miles one way, elevation gain 1,800 feet in, 600 feet out. Unprotected area. This enables the hiker to bypass some of the motorbike activity before joining the Summit Crest Trail. For a more detailed route description, refer to guidebooks.
Prince Creek to Chelan Crest to Stehekin, 5,000-foot-plus ascent with ups and downs, 5,810-foot descent, approximately 22 miles for the loop.
Maps you will need
Green Trails No. 115 Prince Creek, No. 83 Buttermilk Butte, No. 82 Stehekin. There are so many possible loops, variations and approaches that maps are essential. For additional information refer to "100 Hikes in Washington's North Cascades" by Ira Spring and Harvey Manning (The Mountaineers, 253 pages, $14.95) or "Hiking the North Cascades" by Erik Molvar (Falcon Press, 220 pages, $15.95). For reservations and a schedule of the Lady of the Lake, call 509-682-4584.
· New Silver Fir chairlift signals big-time growth for The Summit at Snoqualmie
· Snowshoeing on Mount Seymour: B.C. walk rewards with beauty and chocolate fondue
· Lincoln and Cove parks: Two waterfront parks bring nature near
· For running, high-priced jacket's claims are all wet
· Outdoors Report: Forecast favorable for clam diggers
· Outdoors Report: Anglers banking on uptick in 2009 openings
more
· The Independent: What creationists really hate is that we emerged by accident
· Hundreds march in Seattle to protest Israeli attacks on Gaza
· Seattle citizens give city's storm response a failing grade
· Nickels aside, Seattle's mayoral race is wide open
more
101 Elliott Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 448-8000
Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or (800) 542-0820
seattlepi.com serves about 4 million unique visitors
and 45 million page views each month.
Send comments to newmedia@seattlepi.com
Send investigative tips to iteam@seattlepi.com
©1996-2009 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Terms of Use/Privacy Policy
