Lady Of The Lake — Attraction in Chelan

This was a fun outing. My wife and I took the Lady Express for a day trip to Stehekin. In middle October, that boat is the only choice, which isn't bad. It is the middle of the three boats, in terms of passenger capacity and speed. A round trip allows about 1.5 hours in Stehekin, which is plenty for a very pleasant lunch (check the lodge's website for hours, especially in the off-season).

Dress warmly. The boat cruises at 23 mph, so it can get breezy. The boat has limited seating in the cabin, where the restrooms and small snack bar are also located. Those seats are fixed ones, relatively comfortable. Most seating is on the upper deck, where only the forward part is covered. All seats there are folding chairs. We picked the two seats at the front, on the starboard (right) side, for better photo opportunities. Sadly, the windows hadn't been cleaned, which was a problem. Nevertheless, many other passengers crowded next to us, to look ahead. A benefit of the starboard-side forward chairs is that there is an electrical outlet, if you've need for one.

The boat makes two additional stops, in both directions. At the first, we picked up a large number of folks heading for a stay at Holden Village. They were dropped off at the second stop. The reverse was true on the return trip. Even in mid-week in mid-October, the boat was full.

The captain explained many of the sights along the way, which was enjoyable. Announcements were minimal on the return trip, since everyone heard them on the outbound trip.

Cell coverage is non-existent about 30 minutes north of Chelan. If you want a moving-map display on your phone, you'll need to download an off-line map before losing coverage. GPS reception was fine for the entire journey, despite the high mountains on both sides. Alternatively, bring a hand-held GPS unit with maps for this region, if you have one.

Photo opportunities are abundant during the entire journey. Don't forget your camera. Your cell phone is better than nothing, but a real camera with a long lens would be much better.

Purchasing tickets in advance entails a substantial, but unexplained fee -- $8.32 per ticket, as I recall. We purchased our tickets before departure. Quoting the Dirty Harry movie: "Do you feel...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the stunning North Cascades, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Our journey included a ride on the Lady Of The Lake express ferry, and I cannot speak highly enough about the entire experience.

The ferry ride itself was absolutely fantastic. The express boat was not only fast but also incredibly smooth, making the journey across the beautiful waters feel like a breeze. The crew on board were exceptionally friendly and engaging, making the trip even more enjoyable. They were always available for a chat and had plenty of interesting stories to share about the area.

The seating on the ferry was another highlight for me. The seats were as comfortable as those you’d find in a movie theater, allowing me to relax and take in the breathtaking scenery without a care in the world. The boat also departed and returned right on time, which made planning the rest of our day easy and stress-free.

The North Cascades themselves were nothing short of spectacular. The majestic mountain peaks, lush forests, and pristine lakes created a landscape that felt like something out of a postcard. Whether we were hiking through the wilderness, exploring hidden waterfalls, or simply soaking in the views, every moment was filled with awe and wonder.

We also stayed at the Deep Water Inn in Chelan, which was the perfect base for our adventures. The Inn, run by a kind and sweet couple, offered a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the hospitality we received was top-notch. Dining at The Brunch Box, their on-site restaurant, was another highlight. The food was delicious, and it provided the perfect start to our day.

All in all, my trip to the North Cascades was a perfect getaway. From the smooth and scenic ferry ride on the Lady Of The Lake to the warm hospitality at the Deep Water Inn, every aspect of the trip exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this destination to anyone looking for a blend of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty. I can't...

Great day on board 2 of the 3 boats. The staff was friendly, helpful and professional.

Our destination was Stehekin, a city reachable by boat or hiking. The little town is quaint with 67 people but politics of a larger community. Silly separation of services between the 2 established restaurants.

We took the rainbow falls tour. Wonderful but be careful booking this in the summer because there is very little water to make a fall. We were luck in early June due to the large amount of snow this past winter. The guide, David, was a delight.

There are 2 places to eat, The Lodge and The Bakery. Our Rainbow tour was not aloud to drop off and wait at the bakery because it was it was provided for by The Lodge. The food at the lodge was just ok. Not a lot of effort for $20 lunch. Brown bag it is my recommendation.

The absolute star of this tour is the ride to and from. We went the full length of the mighty lake, 50 miles. The lake was created by a glacier thousands of years ago. The lake, at its deepest point is some 1,462 feet. Amazingly clear like due to low nutrition and phosphorus in the water.

We took the Lady Express, 2 hour cruise to Stehekin. The captain pointed out sites and gave us very nice information about the lake. After our brief but plenty long enough stay in Stehekin we boarded the lady of The Lady of the Lake slower but more comfortable boat to return to Chelan. The Captain was amazing. He took us within feet of a beautiful waterfall allowing pictures and a little cooling off spray to adventurous few at the bow sprit. The captain slowed the boat to allow us to see a big horn sheep family drinking at the water’s edge, a sheer vertical mountain where only animals of this sort can traverse. The 4 hour return trip was very nice seeing spectacular mountain formations and learning about...