| Consistently ranked as one of the most pristine
waters in the United States,Lake Chelans 55 mile length acts as a natural conduit between
the rugged mountain peaks uplake and the lush, fertile downlake valley. At 1,486 feet,
Lake Chelan is the third deepest lake in the nation, extending nearly 400 feet below sea
level. The azure blue water, orchards and rolling hills in the populated Chelan and Manson region provide a striking contrast with the granite cliffs and snow covered mountains that rise dramatically from glacier-green water uplake. Scenic Lake Chelan lies within an 80 mile long glacial valley near the center of Washington State. The semi-arrid rolling hills surrounding the resort communities at the end of the lake give little hint of the spectacular views offered by this fiord- like lake which for the most of its length lies in a valley far deeper than the Grand Canyon. Roads extend less than halfway up Lake Chelan. Beyond the end of the road, rugged snowcapped peaks rise over 7,000 feet from the lakeshore and dark green evergreens cover the mountainsides. Deep valleys rise from the lake to massive glaciers in the heart of the North Cascade Mountains.  At the upper end of Lake Chelan,
limited local roads do not connect the communities of Stehekin and
Holden Village to the outside world. This remoteness and spectacular setting have inspired
Federal protection for much of the region. Portions of a National Park, two National
Forrest Wilderness Areas, and a National Recreation Area encompass much of the Chelan
drainage. |
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