After snowshoeing the Lakeshore, we stopped by Rainbow Falls on the way back to our cabin. The road was plowed to the parking lot, though still covered in snow. The trail was hard-pack snow. We didn't use snowshoes or spikes or need any special expertise.

The hike started from Stehekin Lodge early morning after a breakfast at The Bakery. Hiked to the nearby Rainbow Falls and took in all of its splendor. Roaring falls and the nearby elevated rise in the river were indicative of high snow melt that has occurred in the area. We left awe inspired and drenched from the spray of the falls. Continued our hike to the end of the road to High Bridge. Accessed the Agnes Gorge Trail by way of the Agnes Creek Trail (PCT crossing). Found our way and hiked through the narrow passes towards the waterfall. Lots of foliage including several sprouted wild flowers and late spring flowers. No bugs! No critters! Rested atop the mountain for a bite to eat and time to reflect on what we had just seen. Returned to the trail loop back towards High Bridge. (7 1/2 mi)

We rode our rented bikes from Stehekin Landing to Rainbow Falls. Privy available at the trailhead. A very short walk to the base of the falls with the option to view the upper falls via a quick ascent up a slippery walkway. The falls were raging and we were quickly soaked from the mist.

We then explored Buckner Orchard just down the road. No apples yet, but we enjoyed the beautiful views and resident deer.

We also rode our bikes nine miles down the valley. Relatively flat and the road alternates between paved and unpaved.

A few nights in Stehekin should definitely be on everyone's bucket list!

Muledeer is right, this hike isn't technically the upper section but definitely is worth hiking status.

I spent the weekend camping at Purple Point Campground and enjoying the final bakery weekend for 2020. I have always wanted to spend time in Stehekin outside the May-August window and this turned out to be the perfect time to go despite COVID.

After debarking the ferry and setting up camp. I walked the Stehekin Road  2 miles to the bakery. The fall colors were out and MacGregor stood regally at the upper end of the valley. The chicken garden salad was delicious and I picked up a few gluten free treats. Since visiting last year, they have remodeled the front of the bakery with a covered ADA ramp.

I then walked another 1.5 miles to the trailhead for Rainbow Falls and walked a few hundred yards along Rainbow Creek to the base of the falls. I had it all to myself as the bus is not running tourists and things were still fairly mellow on Friday. The water was not running particularly high but still made for a relaxing view.

Next, I walked back to the road on the trail and took the trail along the Buckner Orchard irrigation ditch that drains from Rainbow Creek. The annual apple festival had been cancelled but they were encouraging everyone to still pick apples so I loaded up my daypack with as many as I could before walking back out and towards my campsite for a trip about 8 miles round trip.

Rented biked at the Stehekin Landing and rode them up to the Rainbow Falls trail. Not much to report besides the size of the falls - they were enormous, white water, and beautiful. One couple left just as we were arriving and another joined us later.