Stehekin River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stehekin River
Stehekin River near Buckner homestead (McGregor Mountain in background)
Location of the mouth of the Stehekin River in Washington
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Chelan
Physical characteristics
Main source	Cascade Range 48°27′15″N 121°2′24″W / 48.45417°N 121.04000°W / 48.45417; -121.04000
River mouth	Lake Chelan 1,102 ft (336 m) 48°19′10″N 120°40′35″W / 48.31944°N 120.67639°W / 48.31944; -120.67639
Length	17 mi (27 km)
Basin features
Basin size	321 sq mi (830 km2)

The Stehekin River is a beautiful river in Washington state, located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It's the main river that flows into Lake Chelan. This area is very remote, meaning it's far away from big cities. You can only reach the Stehekin River Valley by taking a 55-mile boat ride up Lake Chelan!

The river's name comes from an old language called Columbia-Moses. The word stx^wíkn' means "the way through."

Where the Stehekin River Flows

The Stehekin River starts high up in the North Cascades mountains. Its source is near Cascade Pass in North Cascades National Park. Many small streams, like Pelton Creek and Doubtful Creek, join together to form the river.

Big mountains like Boston Peak and Buckner Mountain are close to where the Stehekin River begins. The river flows generally west and southwest from these mountains. It then meets Park Creek and later Bridge Creek. Bridge Creek is one of the river's most important branches. It flows in from the north and drains a large area of Chelan County.

Bridge Creek also collects water from famous peaks like Goode Mountain and Mount Logan. The Stehekin River continues flowing southeast, passing McGregor Mountain. Just before it reaches Lake Chelan, it gets water from Agnes Creek, another big branch. Agnes Creek flows from the west and drains the northern part of Wenatchee National Forest.

The Stehekin River finally flows into Lake Chelan near a small community called Stehekin. This town is so remote that you can only get there by boat! Roads from Stehekin follow the river up its valley. There are many places to camp along the river. The Pacific Crest Trail, a famous long-distance hiking trail, also passes through the Stehekin River area.

History of the Stehekin Valley

Because the Stehekin Valley is so remote, people didn't settle there until the 1880s. That's when miners started coming to search for valuable minerals in the North Cascades. Between 1887 and 1910, many miners arrived, hoping to strike it rich.

By 1890, a fairly large hotel was built in Stehekin, right on Lake Chelan. This hotel welcomed tourists and fishermen, as well as the miners.

Early Farms and Homesteads

Over many years, the Stehekin River changed its path. As it moved, it left behind rich, fertile soil called alluvial sediments on the valley floor. However, it also left large rocks, which made farming difficult. Even so, the first farmers, called homesteaders, began setting up farms around 1910.

The best places to farm were along the Stehekin River and its branches. These spots had a steady water supply for crops. They also offered natural ways to transport goods to Lake Chelan. The Buckner Homestead was one of the first farms along the river. Today, it's a special historical site.

Life in the Valley

Winters in the Stehekin Valley were very harsh. Because of this, most early settlers didn't stay there all year. In the fall, many homesteaders would leave the area. They would spend the winter in less isolated towns like Chelan. In the spring, families would return to work on their farms.

Many early homesteaders earned extra money by guiding miners into the mountains. They also carried supplies to distant mining claims. In 1902, the valley's first school opened in a small cabin. Later, it was replaced by another cabin, which is now the oldest school building in the Stehekin Valley.

As more families moved in, people realized they needed a proper schoolhouse. In 1921, the community chose a spot for a new school. Local volunteers built it using logs. The Stehekin School is still there today and is also a registered historic place.

Changes Over Time

As mining became less important, people in the Stehekin Valley found other ways to make a living. They focused on farming for their own food, logging trees, and tourism. Apples were an important crop in the early 1900s. In winter, hunting and trapping animals were part of life for those who stayed all year.

A big change for the valley's economy was the arrival of the United States Forest Service. When the Stehekin Ranger District was created in 1905, it provided steady seasonal jobs for the people living there.

Today, the Stehekin Valley is still very isolated. Fewer than one hundred people live there all year. Most of them work for the National Park Service. The only way to get into the valley is by taking a 55-mile boat ride from Chelan. During the summer, two boats offer daily trips. In winter, boat service is less frequent, with only two trips a week.

Fun Activities on the Stehekin River

During the summer, tourism is very important in the Stehekin Valley. The area is now part of the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The Stehekin River is beautiful and wild, making it a great place for adventures.

You can go whitewater rafting or kayaking on the river. There are also many campsites available along its banks. The Stehekin River is famous for its excellent fly-fishing. You can catch rainbow and cutthroat trout in the spring. In the fall, fishermen come to catch sockeye salmon.

River Branches

Here are the main streams and creeks that flow into the Stehekin River:

Images for kids

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  Bridge Creek, a branch of the Stehekin River

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  Boulder Creek flowing into the Stehekin River

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  Rainbow Falls on Rainbow Creek