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Trip Report

Chelan Lakeshore Trail — Monday, May. 5, 2025

Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
View from Flick Creek Shelter

I wasn't sure what to expect. I had imagined a wasteland of charred remains but I'd heard the trail was open, so... Sure, there were swaths of standing sticks and evidence of the fire everywhere, but much of the trail was lined with trees that were blackened only on their lower branches and trunk while the upper part of the tree still stretched green arms to the sky. The ground cover was verdant with grasses and shrubs and the wildflowers were vibrant. The trail was in great shape (there has clearly been a lot of work done, already) and it's still features some of the best views of any trail.

On a Monday, 3 hikers got off the boat at Prince Creek, and we only saw 3 other hikers for the rest of the trip. It was fascinating to see what was or was not damaged by the fires.

Cascade Creek and Moore Point camps are closed. My understanding is that the closures are not the direct result of fire damage but rather a precaution against flash flooding. The fire debris (may have) caused logjams upstream (on Cascade Creek and Fish Creek). When these logjams break, the water and debris would rush downstream into the low camp areas. Meadow Creek, which seemed largely untouched, is elevated above its creek area and has plenty of space for camping (although not much of it is level ground). The old orchard area (accessed from the spur trail between Fish Creek and Moore Point) is also elevated above Moore Point. It is mostly a large meadow area with lots of room, but not much privacy. Flick Creek shelter, although surrounded by significant burn areas, is intact and well away from its namesake creek. 

Lower parts of the trees are scorched, but still green above
Trees below the trail were protected by a sprinkler system. About 3/4 mile from Stehekin.
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