Stehekin, WA — A Natural Wonderland

Photo from 1973 on a hike to Horseshoe Basin

Cathy and I spent our honeymoon at a lovely rustic cabin in Stehekin during the summer of 1973. The North Cascades Highway (SR 20) was opened on September 2, 1972. We drove across it on August 18, 1973, during the first full summer it was open.

We returned to Stehekin in 1998 to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Then we spent three more vacations there in 2002 (with Gary's brother and sister-in-law), 2006 and 2007. Stehekin is a magical place of majestic scenery, sounds of nature, and restful solitude.

The picture on the left was taken from the yard just outside our room in 2006.

Our favorite place to stay in Stehekin was the Silver Bay Inn, which is now under different management and a different name. The photo on the left is from the hot tub facing south down Lake Chelan.

Most Recent Stay: May 26–29, 2025

After 18 years, Cathy and I returned once again to Stehekin for a 3-night stay,
this time at one of the two Stehekin Log Cabins right behind the famous Stehekin Pastry Company (see below for the story).

We took the ferry from the Field's Point Landing to Stehekin, and booked one of our dinners at the amazing Stehekin Valley Ranch restaurant.

We brought our Swiss friend Yannick with us :) Yannick and Gary played a pre-dinner alphorn duet at the Stehekin Valley Ranch:

See alphorn duet video

Stehekin Pastry Company & Honey Bear Bakery

The Short Story

The story of the first "Honey Bear Bakery" opened in Stehekin, WA in 1978 is told by its founder, Karl Gaskill, who now passionately works in "The Garden" in Stehekin. Link here: https://www.stehekingarden.com/

Since 1989 the bakery in Stehekin is run by The Stehekin Pastry Co.

The Honey Bear Bakery opened and closed in various locations in the Seattle area. The current (2025) Honey Bear Bakery is now located in Lake Forest Park.

On Feb 19, 1986, the Seattle Post Intelligencer reported that the Honey Bear Bakery from Stehekin opened a Seattle branch at 55th Street and Meridian Avenue, near Green Lake.

On April 14, 1998, the Seattle Post Intelligencer reported that Ronald Sheer bought the Honey Bear Bakery and planned to include it in his larger plan for the Lake Forest Park Towne Center.

The Green Lake Honey Bear Bakery closed in 2001. It reopened later in Ravenna, but closed at some point later. (Short history here).

Links to our Stehekin Trips (except 2002)

Video clips included for 2006 & 2007 pages (and index below).

Stehekin 1973: Honeymoon
       - Page 1: The Newlyweds (Kent, WA)
       - Page 2: Stehekin Brochures
       - Page 3: Receipts & Expenses
       - Page 4: Photos

Stehekin 1998: 25th Anniversary
       - Page 1: 25-Mile Creek Fire & Silver Bay Inn
       - Page 2: Silver Bay Inn, Bakery, Ranch, Bridge
       - Page 3: Rainbow Falls, Horseback Ride
       - Page 4: Agnes Gorge

Stehekin 2006: 33rd Anniversary
       - Page 1: Silver Bay, Bear on Hike, Rainbow Loop, Ranch
       - Page 2: Bakery, Stehekin River Trail
       - Page 3: Agnes Gorge Trail
       - Page 4: Silver Bay, Ranch

Stehekin 2007: 34th Anniversary
       - Page 1: Trail of Cedars, Goat Peak
       - Page 2: Rainbow Falls, Lakeshore Trail, Buckner Orchard
       - Page 3: Critters: Lizard, Bat, "Antlers"
       - Page 4: Buehler's Bluff, Domke Fire

Video Clips

Agnes Creek (2006)
Agnes Gorge (2006)
Buckner Orchard Eagle (2006)
Buehler's Bluff (2007)
Chelan Air (2007)
Domke Fire (2007)
- Vid 1 | Vid 2 | Vid 3 | Vid 4 | Vid 5 | Vid 6 | Vid 7 | Vid 8
Goat Peak (Mazama) (2007)
Honeymoon Cabin (2006)
Lakeshore Trail (2007)
Lake View Property (2006)
Rainbow Falls (2007)
Rainbow Loop (2006)
River Trail (2006)
Side Porch View (2006)

Cathy on a Horse!

Highlight from 1998: Rare photos of Cathy's only horseback ride!
She is riding behind our tour guide. This was a half-day 7-mile round trip adventure from Stehekin Valley Ranch to Coon Lake, now called Howard Lake.