Backpaking in North Cascades National Park

Known as the “Alps of North America” we will walk along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at a mindful pace for approximately 19-22 miles, spread out over three days. Starting at Bridge Creek trail head (located on HWY 20 between Rainy Pass and Washington Pass) and ending in the delightful village of Stehekin. On the fourth day, we will travel from Stehekin via ferry to Chelan, where we will end our journey.

If you’ve never backpacked before, you’re not alone and this trip is for you. Guide Andi Chatburn has designed this trip for a variety of abilities, and focuses on the insights found along the journey as we commune with the more than human world.

Group items such as water filtration, backpacking stoves with fuel, first aid kits, and bear spray will be provided. Individuals are responsible for personal gear such as a backpack, tent, sleeping bag, 2L total volume of personal water reservoir or bottles, trekking poles, headlamp, etc. If you don’t have backpacking gear, we recommend borrowing from a friend or renting from a gear store. Your guide also has a limited set of equipment available to borrow as well. You will be selecting and supplying your own backpacking food - two to three breakfasts, two lunches, and two to three dinners. There is bakery and a dinner restaurant option in Stehekin. We recommend dehydrated breakfasts and dinners and a no-cook lunch such as crackers, dried fruit, and hard white cheese or dried meats/fish so we don’t have to stop to boil water along the trail.

Your ferry ticket and bus shuttle pass to/from Stehekin are included in the price of the retreat, but there are additional fees for parking, both in Chelan and at the trail head that you will be responsible for.

We encourage carpooling among participants, as there will be some people needing to park at the ferry landing in Chelan and then ride 2 hours together to the trailhead. When we end, one car will need to drive 2 hours North from Chelan to shuttle drivers who are parked at the trailhead.

For a recommended list of supplies, check out REI’s ultralight backpacking checklist: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ultralight-backpacking-checklist.html