Photo: Myra Cobbledick Introduction to Ultralight Backpacking, North Cascades National Park, Washington Highlights:
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Trip Number: 08186A Price: $1,495 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 10 Rating: L/M Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Myra Cobbledick Is this a backpack or a lodge trip? It's both -- and a whole lot more, too. We will spend four days backpacking with ultralight equipment, and three days at the Stehekin Valley Ranch -- complete with those "ranch meals" you've probably dreamed about. During our stay at the lodge, we'll have time to explore the valley on mountain bikes, raft the Stehekin River, and kayak on Lake Chelan. We'll also have plenty of opportunities for day hikes on some of the North Cascades's most beautiful trails. This will be a trip for active individuals with varying levels of experience. Surrounded by mountains and the roaring waters of the Stehekin River and its tributaries, the Stehekin Valley offers magnificent alpine scenery. To reach this remote place, you'll need to travel along glacier-carved Lake Chelan, a 50-mile long, 1,450-foot-deep body of water that is the deepest gorge in the country (from ridge top to lakebed). On this trip participants will be able to try out ultralight backpacking -- traveling in the backcountry carrying only a 30-pound (or even 20-pound) pack -- without having to purchase the equipment. You can pick up some information by checking out the websites and books noted in the References section below, but to really learn about ultralight backpacking you need to experience it
 Photo: Myra Cobbledick We will meet in the city of Chelan, Washington, then take the ferry from Chelan to Stehekin. This three-hour trip up Lake Chelan is an adventure in itself. The roundtrip boat ticket is included in the trip price. We'll devote the first four days to ultralight backpacking. The bus will pick us up at the Stehekin boat landing and take us to Stehekin Valley Ranch, a rustic resort about nine miles up the valley. Upon arrival at the lodge we will have lunch and then be outfitted with all of the ultralight gear we need. When everyone is ready, we will take a short stroll to a nearby campground on the Stehekin River . For the rest of the evening, we'll occupy ourselves with introductions, instructions, and dinner prepared on our ultralight stoves. The next four days will find us hiking and camping in a scenic valley, too far for day hiking but just right for backpacking. After the backpack, we will go to our comfortable cabins and dinner at the ranch. During our stay at the ranch we will take a half-day to raft the Stehekin River , spend a full day exploring the valley on our bikes, and take another half day to kayak on the lake. Or we can take a number of day-hikes and, of course, discuss ultralight backpacking. Of course, if you feel the need for some "private time" you can grab a good book and head off to the ranch's reading room, or just lean on the fence and watch the horses graze. Getting There The trip will officially begin at 7:45 a.m. on day one at the Lake Chelan ferry terminal. Chelan is about a three-hour drive from Seattle. The trip ends with a return ferry trip, arriving back in Chelan about 2:30 p.m. on the last day. The leaders will send more detailed information to registered participants.
The first four days of the trip will be in the back country. All pack meals are included and light tents will be provided for the outing. Our tent cabins at the ranch vary in size, sleeping two, three, or four people. Each cabin has beds with pillows and blankets. Towels are provided. Showers and flush toilets are available at the ranch's main building. Meals are cooked and served family-style in the ranch's dining hall. The food is homemade, plentiful, and delicious. Ovo-lacto vegetarians will not have any problems with the menu.
This trip is rated Moderate (M). This trip is designed to introduce you to ultralight backpacking. Active individuals 18 years and over are encouraged to apply. It is open to experienced hikers who are novice or experienced backpackers. All backpack trips are strenuous compared to most activities, but this one will have a gentler feel. Our packs will be light -- which, after all, is the objective of this trip -- and the entire trip is on well-established trails. We will have three hiking days and three overnights (including our base camp on day one). Hiking days vary from four to eight miles with elevation changes ranging from 1,200-3,800 feet. Our two "high country" camps will be at 3,800 and 5,000 feet. The entire hike will be about 18 miles. Proper conditioning is important. Walking, running, or bicycling throughout the year will go a long way toward making sure you arrive in good shape and ready to enjoy this trip. During the ranch portion of this adventure we will do some biking, river rafting, and kayaking. All of these activities are quite doable for novices -- no previous experience is necessary. It will help if you already know how to ride a bike, though.
As noted, ultralight backpacking equipment will be provided. This includes a backpack, tent, two hiking poles, cooking equipment, food, and raingear. You will need to bring your own eating utensils and a bowl. The weather in July can be quite variable -- warm and pleasant, or cool and rainy with some snow at the higher elevations. Daytime temperatures usually range from the low 50s to the high 70s. The leader will provide a more detailed equipment list to registered participants.
Maps Green Trails maps: "McGregor Mountain" and "Stehekin." These maps provide greater local detail and are relatively up-to-date on roads and trails. REI carries Green Trails maps. The Stehekin Valley Ranch sells them, too. Books
Websites
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Rich Johnson is a longtime Sierra Club member who lives near Seattle and hikes in Washington, British Columbia and further afield whenever he can get away from his software training job. He is active in the regional Sierra Club chapter, leading hikes in the Central and North Cascades. He is a board member of Washington Trails Association, maintaining trails, leading hikes and lobbying for more trail funding. Rich also like to sea kayak, canoe, and cross country ski.