***2025 reminder that Moore Point & Cascade Creek campgrounds closed. Arrived Thursday afternoon on Stehekin Ferry to empty Prince Creek camp, blue tarped tools for WTA crew working upstream, and clean, clean toilets!
Friday enjoyed warm sun as did 3 snakes - 2 rattlers - on trail in morning. Arrived Meadow Creek camp before 20 others (and 3 dogs) came and settled in for evening - a quiet one for all. Our late start Saturday allowed us to enjoy an osprey duet from across the creek.
Wildflowers? Yes. End of balsam bloom, lupine abundant in blue, a bit of white, and rare pink. Gullied dogwoods in full display, tiger lily, shooting star, rose, lilac, and columbine. Trail in fantastic shape, no log stepovers, gorgeous drain dips, improved tread width on switchbacks.
About 9 tents at Old Orchard camp Saturday night spread out in large area. The seat on new box toilet was silky smooth. The Lake Chelan wind came up for about 3 hours in the afternoon and clouds darkened over the Sawtooths high above. Sunday morning, after next door neighbor Ollie the dog left, we noticed a sundog around the sun. Hoofed it to Stehekin, lunch stop at Flick Creek, to make the 2pm Sunday only (slow boat) Lady of the Lake back to Fields Point with a pause at Domke Falls to sightsee.
2024 Pioneer Fire effects grew more evident the closer to Stehekin we got, and the dirtier my pant cuffs became. First 2/3 of trail have occasional ash or charcoal but into NPS NRA post Flick Creek, more and more fire damage evident, around you and underfoot. Downed logs from years before have simply vanished, immolated and leaving an ashy slash where they formerly lay.
A guide for 2025 Lakeshore Trail posted up at https://www.wta.org/news/signpost/backpackers-heres-the-deal-for-the-chelan-lakeshore-trail-this-year
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