Two girls who had never met before decided that going on an 18+ mile overnight backpack with a stranger from the internet was a good idea.
We parked at Fields Point Landing ($7 overnight; they take cash or card). Don't forget to get your parking pass printout (we almost weren't given one!). The ferry ride was fairly smooth although it was a pretty windy day, but the mountains along the lake were gorgeous and we enjoyed the views. We had purchased tickets over the phone the day before ($40.50 roundtrip), and they had them for Will Call on the ferry.
The ferry dropped us and another group of 5 off at Prince Creek around noon, and off we went. The trail was in pretty good shape overall with some water crossings. Most of them were fairly straightforward, but there was one that required a little bit of shimmying over logs. Not too much mud and no real blowdowns.
Lots of up and down on this trail! I had blisters by mile three, thanks to my new "custom-molded" insoles. Despite that and copious morel mushroom-picking, we made the 11+ miles to Moore Point in decent time, arriving at 5.15 pm with plenty of time to set up camp.
The campground was pretty nice, with an outhouse (that even had toilet paper!), fire pits, a bearproof locker for food, and picnic tables. Us two and the other group of 5 were the only ones there.
We had breakfast at camp the next morning and were on the trail at 8 a.m. Despite blistered feet and overall tiredness, we walked the 7+ miles into Stehekin by 11.15 a.m. or so. The famed bakery was not yet open, but the restaurant at the dock was serving up burgers. We ate and basked in the sunshine until the ferry left at around 1 pm and we were back at Field's Point around 3 pm.
The lake is gorgeous. No snow on the trail, but the snow on the mountains around is definitely a plus. Temps were pretty perfect. 50-60 during the day and 30s-40 at night. We didn't see any notable wildlife - no bears, rattlesnakes and so far no ticks.
It's a great early season backpack and a quiet trail, although the downside is no sticky buns at this time of year...but that's just an excuse to go back, right?
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