Magic in the Mountains

This article originally appeared on The Trek, which you can read here.

Almost two months after massive flooding swept across Washington, an iconic trail town is still grappling with extensive damage. Residents of the remote community of Stehekin, Washington have banded together to call for action from the National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and local elected officials.

In December 2025, Washington was hit by an atmospheric river event dubbed the “Pineapple Express,” which dumped extraordinary amounts of rain across the state. Rural and remote Stehekin, a small community nestled at the northern end of Lake Chelan and accessible only by trail, boat, or plane, was hit especially hard. “I wonder if this sort of event could, unfortunately, essentially threaten the existence of Stehekin as we know it,” Chelan County Commissioner Brad Hawkins told a local news station.

Read Next: Iconic PCT Trail Town Devastated by Debris Flow

Compounding the damage, the 2024 Pioneer Fire had already destabilized the landscape. Significant burn scars left soil loose and vulnerable, contributing to catastrophic landslides throughout the valley during the storm. While the community has spent the past several weeks clearing debris and wreckage, the long-term impacts of the flooding remain evident.

A River, a Road, and a Community at Risk

The primary concern centers on Company Creek Road, an area just off the main Stehekin Valley Road. According to Stehekin River Emergency Restoration, a website created by local residents, approximately a quarter of Stehekin’s population lives along this road, including nearly half of the community’s school-aged children.

The Stehekin River flows from the surrounding peaks through the valley and into Lake Chelan. After a levee failed during December’s flooding, the river diverted into a new channel directly over Company Creek Road. The road has remained submerged since then, rendering it nearly impassable and cutting off reliable access for residents.

Who Fixes What? Debate Over Jurisdiction

Before repairs can begin, debate over jurisdiction and funding is posing a major obstacle. The Chelan County Board of Commissioners authorized up to $1 million for potential repairs, citing the importance of Stehekin’s tourism industry to the regional economy. However, because Stehekin lies on National Park Service (NPS) land, it remains unclear what role the county can play.

At present, there is no definitive answer for how Chelan County, the NPS, and the Army Corps of Engineers will coordinate restoration efforts. The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for rerouting the Stehekin River and rebuilding the damaged levee, while the NPS is responsible for maintaining Company Creek Road. Further complicating matters, the Army Corps must receive approval before undertaking projects on NPS land.

The Clock Is Ticking: Taking Action Before the Spring

Residents are urging officials to act before the spring runoff begins. As snow melts in the surrounding mountains, increased runoff could trigger additional flooding and further damage to homes, infrastructure, and the environment.

“We know that the ongoing work will be a slow process, but we are asking all agencies to expedite the work to return the river to its recent historical channel before the spring runoff,” Stehekin resident Patty Wilsey told The Trek.

Community members are hopeful that concrete steps will be discussed during an upcoming multi-agency meeting scheduled for February 10. Officials from the NPS, Army Corps of Engineers, government offices, and Stehekin residents are expected to attend.

“Our hope concerning the February 10 meeting is that the agencies with authority over the river (the Army Corps of Engineers) and Company Creek Road (NPS) will be able to talk in person and approve some kind of plan to alleviate the damage currently being done in the Company Creek area,” Wilsey said.

Impacts for PCT Hikers and the 2026 Season

At this time, it remains unclear what conditions along the Pacific Crest Trail through the North Cascades will look like during the 2026 season. On December 16, 2025, the Pacific Crest Trail Association updated a longstanding alert regarding trail conditions in the nearby Glacier Peak Wilderness.

The previous alert advised serious caution, noting that large sections of trail have gone unmaintained in recent years due to wildfire impacts. The updated alert cites recent flooding damage to the Suiattle River Road. “This will impact access to Glacier Peak Wilderness, and our ability to repair the PCT,” the update stated. The trail remains open, but hikers should be prepared for less-than-ideal conditions.

How the Public Can Help Stehekin Move Forward

Residents are encouraging the public to contact elected officials and agency representatives to voice concern. “The congressional staff that will be here does have some sway over these agencies, so our focus has been writing to those people,” Patty Wilsey said.

Roberta, owner of the Stehekin Pastry Company, echoed that call, urging non-residents to “contact any elected officials and ask for funding to be earmarked for the Stehekin River fix and for trail work to be done as quickly as possible.”

Outside Jay, a notable trail angel along the PCT, shared a post in a PCT Facebook group with contact information for representatives, along with a simple script for emails and letters. Roberta provided additional contacts. These resources can be accessed through a Google Doc linked here.

Stronger Together: Why Residents Remain Optimistic

Tourism remains the primary source of income for Stehekin, and despite the flood damage, residents are optimistic about the 2026 season.

“As far as Stehekin Valley’s outlook for tourists, I don’t think the flooding should have too much impact,” Roberta said. “We are really hopeful that the Park Service can work out a simple solution for wastewater at the North Cascades Lodge so the concessionaire can have some rooms open, along with the restaurant and store. As for work on the Stehekin River and road, we’re hopeful the green light and funding will come through soon after officials visit (this) week.”

Patty Wilsey also wanted to reassure PCT hikers and prospective visitors. “We are getting calls all the time from people who think all of Stehekin is a mudslide and that the infrastructure is ruined, which is not true,” she said.

Wilsey told The Trek that Stehekin Valley Adventures plans to operate its High Bridge Shuttle from June through September. The shuttle is critical for hikers, as the road between the High Bridge trailhead and town spans roughly 13 miles. The Stehekin Pastry Company, a hiker favorite, also plans to be open for the tourist season.

“Stehekin is resilient and always will be,” said Kevin McLaughlin, former thru-hiker and seasonal employee of the Stehekin Pastry Company. “The floods at the end of 2025 were devastating, but nothing can keep this community down for long. We’re strong together.”