Road Work in Stehekin

the water truck attempts to keep the dust down in the staging area, while the chipper turns logs into mountains of chips

The Lower Field - which is often a wonderful place to view wildlife throughout the seasons -with the view of McGregor mountain from the valley floor to the summit- has been transformed. There are huge piles of logs, rock, trailers, heavy equipment, a giant chipper that is turning the logs into mountains of something akin to garden mulch, a rock crusher and other machinery. The lower field has become the staging area for the equipment and materials necessary for the eventual paving of the Stehekin Valley road. 

Lower Field - (picture take during a previous summer)

This summer, road work is going on in Stehekin which will hopefully improve the road for all who use it. The project is slated to be completed at the end of the 2018 summer season. With heavy equipment moving trees, rocks and soil, those who travel Stehekin's road are learning to schedule for the inevitable delays that the road work causes. The local flaggers do their best to get the travelers through safely, and often offer a friendly word while the drivers wait for the go-ahead. 

the Lower Field as a staging area for the road work (smoke driting in from fires in British Columbia)

Many are learning to be patient while enjoying the smoother, dust-free roads (the water trucks are working daily to keep the dust down). We are assured that when the road construction is done, the lower field will be revegetated -and an alfalfa crop will be reestablished. 

In a couple of years, we will once again enjoy the idyllic wildlife scenes: deer grazing; bears -fresh out of their winter sleep- filling their hungry bellies with the first tender greens of the year; Canada geese gathering in the growing alfalfa -their last hurrah before their soon-to-appear hatchlings require all their attention. 

hay bales dry and ready to be put in the barn

By 2019, or 2020, summertime will again provide scenes reminiscent of years gone by, with hay in the field -cut, dried, raked and then in bales, ready to be picked up for feeding to the local livestock. This field was part of an original homestead, and the has been cultivated for over 100 years.

Until the alfalfa is growing again, please be patient and don't be too surprised by what you will see in the Lower Field.

~mc
Please visit StehekinHeritage.com, or our blog at stehekinheritage.blogspot.com

Advice From a Happy Stehekin Deer

Advice From a Happy Stehekin Deer 

 (Upon finding a neat little hoof signature by my chomped cabbage…)

Go in at night, they won’t catch you then

They’re sleeping so sound, you can easily dine

Your exotic fare inconceivably fine

All that is missing is fine sparkling wine

Go right ahead and nibble away

Try strawberry leaves and green bean pate

And that little green apple dangling high and away?

Oh yes it’s definitely worth the foray!

And what have we here, now, so round and deep green?

It’s cabbage! for coleslaw! The perfect cuisine!

Just take a few bites, from the center to glean

There’s more where that came from, just come back again

And when you’re all done sign with neat little stamps

And carefully step through the mega watt amps

With leanness of figure wires cause you no pain

For ease through all fences.... try a vegetable plan! l.c.

 

Take a Stroll on the Rainbow Loop Trail

At the "Upper Rainbow Loop Trailhead" ready for the hike!

Gordy leading the group out on the trail.

A glimpse of the valley floor from the Rainbow Loop Trail.

Gordy heading up out of the trees to a nice view.

Looking back along the trail with McGregor towering in the distance.

Gordy standing on Rainbow Bridge about half way through the hike.

Gordy heading through an open area. I assume there is a trail there some place but a bit hard to see in this shot.

Trail along the hillside with Ashley and Gordy. 

Over look just off the trail to see the vista spread below with Castle towering over the valley. With Gordy, Krissa and Sierra.

One of the excellent views along the trail. Here you can see Buckner Orchard below and Castle Peak in the background.

A view of the lake and valley floor from the trail.

Our group heading down the trail with Lake Chelan in the background. Ready for a break at Stehekin Pastry Company.

Stehekin Pastry Company is a great destination when you get off the Loop hike as it is just one half mile down the road. They have a wide selection of  items to eat and drink while you relax in a lawn chair in the yard.

After the 5 mile Rainbow Loop hike a cold dish of ice cream is just right!

A Child's Delight

Today's post was written by a 7 year old in 1992. It's about the simple pleasures of childhood in a remote community.

I live in Stehekin. I live in a big log house. We do not have power off a wire. Our power comes from a pelton wheel. I did not have power in my room until one special day.
I was on my way home from school. Papa had just got home from Chelan.
I ran across the field. When I got there Papa told me to go look on the counter. It was a light!
“Papa! How could you possibly get this for me? Am I dreaming? I just can not believe this! Will you put it in my room tonight?”
“Yes,” said Papa.
“Yipeeeeeeeee!”
That night Papa worked hard on the light. It seemed to be forever to get the light hooked up. Papa told me to go look at my light. But, papa told me if I went up there I would have to sweep up the swirling, dusty sawdust. So I went up in the dark. But it was not dark, because my light was on!
Then mom said it was time to eat, so I went downstairs. Every minute I would have to go and check on it. It made me feel rich having a light in my room. It seemed to glow like a lantern. That night I got to read in my room!
And now whenever it is time to go to bed I read a little. If I wake up in the morning and no one is awake I just read.
The End

Glimpses from the Past ~ Pilot Ernie Gibson

The following is reprinted from Stehekin Heritage Guidebook 2015. Ernie built Chelan Airways on service. 

Ernie Gibson, long time owner-pilot of Chelan Airways, spent much of his time transporting folks to and from Stehekin in a wide assortment of aircraft. Everything from fishing trips into Trapper and Domke Lakes to emergency flights to help someone in serious need of medical help. We remember him fondly as a quiet, superb pilot and friend.

Valley potluck for Ernie Gibson when he retired from Chelan Airways

photo by Nancy Barnhart

Ernie Gibson holing a fish he caught at Trapper Lake.

Ernie Gibson on the dock, at Stehekin, with his Cessna 180

Ernie with his airplane, a de Havilland Beaver (a 6-seater)

Chelan Airways plane, back when one could fly in to Trapper lake, on the cover of 1956 Flying Magazine

Gordon Stuart pushing Ernie's plane away from the dock at Domke Lake. Ernie spent many years transporting folks in for a stay at the lake for some great fishing.

Ernie begins loading freight and folks for a  flight from Stehekin dock to Chelan. Chelan Airways was a great, dependable service for folks based here in Stehekin.

How to Take a Mini-Cruise in Stehekin!

Smooth as glass--a perfect "Craig Cat Day!"

How to take a peaceful, beautiful cruise

while at the head of the lake in Stehekin: 

1. Find the Log Office north of the Stehekin Landing

2. Talk to the nice person behind the desk about renting 

a "Craig Cat"

3. With her/his assistance, learn the SIMPLE operating instructions

(my six year old granddaughter can operate them)

4. Board your mini-cruise vessel and you are off on

your adventure with the barely noticeable purr 

of an electronic motor as a backdrop to the amazing scenery...

A canopy is provided for shade

A calm day is best for touring the quiet marshes of the head of the lake. Look for Blue Heron, many kinds of ducks, beaver, fish jumping for bugs. You can even bring your fishing pole!

      

Keep your eye out for pirate ships along the way, and the Monster of Lake Chelan!!

Could this be the Lake Monster?

Homes at the Head of the Lake--yes people actually live here!

Silver Bay Inn at the mouth of the Stehekin River

Log drift at the mouth of the river--easy to find your way through--watch for a few shallow sand bars!

Weaver Point Campground --a nice place for a picnic lunch

                                   

You will find some wonders to behold directly across 

from the Landing, 

A popular spot to visit...

Check out Kayaking on Lake Chelan

Near the Painted Rocks--Head of Lake Chelan

Painted Rocks -worth the visit--Read about them here: The Painted Rocks

You may even see the passenger boats arrive. 

Waves expected. No worries, this craft cannot capsize! 

5.  After absorbing the beauty of the Lake, return your vessel

to the Log Office, and the nice person will be happy to accept your rental fee!

Ahh, your own personal cruise on Lake Chelan!

**Craig Cat Electronic Catamarans cruise at 7 miles per hour. 

Life Jackets are Available at the office

Two comfortable front seats

Two smaller back seats facing backwards

Operator Friendly

**Fair Weather is recommended

                                                               ($30.00 per hour) l.c.

The Painted Rocks

Most Stehekin visitors never see the Painted Rocks. Approximately three-quarters of a mile separates the Lodge porch from where early people placed pictographs.

During the summer months the pictographs are visible near the waterline. During the winter when the lake drops twenty-one feet, you lift your eyes upward to see these drawings. An observer might wonder, "If the lake is raised twenty-one feet and pictographs are viewed near eye level, the people who created the pictographs either scaled the wall to create their work or the conditions of the lake were quite different when this white faced wall was used as a message board."

Crossing the lake in any season can offer an exquisite play of light on the water.

A trip across the lake during the winter might offer the opportunity to see some swans.

Some of the symbols painted on the wall. The figure on the left is intriguing. 

If you get the opportunity, visit the Painted Rocks.