Route starts at the Bridge Creek Trailhead/PCT along highway 20. You run south on the PCT until you get to the McAlester Lake/Fireweed Camp junction. You’ll take this turn off and ascend to McAlester Lake and then descend on the Rainbow Creek Trail to the Stehekin Valley Floor. When you hit the Stehekin River Road, you’ll take a left and run approx. 1 mile to the Stehekin Pastry Company for an opportunity to get filtered water and food. You don't have to actually shop at the bakery but you have to tag the building! Once you’re all set there, you head back out on the Stehekin Valley Road westward to the High Bridge Campground. You’ll hop onto the Pacific Crest Trail Northbound and stay on the trail until you hit Highway 20, where your car will be parked.
In early season, prepare for this route to still have snow, downed trees, and challenging rivers which require some aggressive route crossing. So it may be worth a call to the park service before setting out.
If you are unfamiliar with the North Cascades, Stehekin is an amazing village tucked in the corner of Lake Chelan. It is only accessible by boat, plane or foot/horseback. It does not have cell service or any public phone available but does have a killer bakery and awesome organic farm.
