Outdoor Recreation

STEP INTO NATURE

Environmental Learning

Holden offers numerous opportunities to learn about the North Cascades and the Railroad Creek Valley ecosystem. During the summer months, Teaching Staff from offer sessions on a variety of environmental topics, including geology, environmental history, and climate change. Holden Village also offers environmental learning sessions led by the Village Naturalist. Past sessions have included fire ecology hikes, mine remediation walks, plant identification walks, and observations of macroinvertebrates in Railroad Creek. The Holden Library contains numerous books concerning environmental topics and a collection of field guides and information on the natural history of the North Cascades and the Railroad Creek valley.

Ready to Start Hiking?

Check out these nearby trails! Holden Village is surrounded by a variety of excellent hiking trails that you can take to waterfalls, pristine lakes, stunning basins, and breathtaking mountain vistas.

The following descriptions are provided for as an overview but are not meant to be exhaustive or used for navigation. Please stop by the Hike Haus when you are in the Village for updated information.

For maps, route information, and reports on trail conditions, visit:

 

Holden Village recommends that all hikers take the ten essentials with them when heading out on the trails: a first aid kit, extra foods & water, a flashlight, matches, sun protections, emergency blanket, pocket knife, compass, map, and extra clothing.

Copper Creek Falls (2 miles Roundtrip, moderate)

The Copper Creek trail is one of the prettiest short trails near the village. It is especially nice on a hot day when you are looking for a place to contemplate and cool off.

Tenmile Falls (2 miles roundtrip, easy)

The Tenmile Falls trail is maintained to be wheelchair accessible during the summer, making it a nice option for anyone with physical limitations or families with small children.

Honeymoon Heights (3 Miles Roundtrip, moderate)

The trail begins just west of the Holden Garage on Level 2, leading you to Level 3. From the upper part of the trail you have some excellent views of Bonanza Peak, Hart Lake Falls, and Holden Lake valley.

Monkey Bear Falls (5 miles roundtrip, moderate)

This is a lovely, comparatively flat trail to Monkey Bear Falls, about 2.5 miles to the falls from Holden Village.

Holden Lake (10 miles roundtrip, moderate/difficult)

Beginning from Holden, hike out on the Hart and Lyman lake trail, which meanders along the Railroad Creek valley.

Hart Lake (9 miles roundtrip, moderate)

Take in views of scenic waterfalls and Bonanza Peak from the trail to Hart Lake. From Holden Village begin hiking along the dirt road for 1 mile to reach the Holden camping area and enter the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

Lyman Lake (18-21 miles roundtrip, difficult)

From Hart Lake, continue along the trail. Shallow, emerald green Lower Lyman Lake comes into view 3.2 miles beyond Rebel Camp.

Copper Basin (6 miles roundtrip, difficult)

The Copper Basin trail is almost exclusively accessible from Holden Village or via PCT from Cloudy Pass or Stehekin.

Cloudy Pass Trail (18 miles, difficult)

This is an extension of the Lyman Lakes Trail and is a lovely walk through stately woods and across alpine meadows and tundra.

STEP INTO NATURE

Gear Check Out

Holden Village offers information on the trails in the valley, hiking basics, and limited hiking gear for guests and staff. We are not a gear outfitter and cannot guarantee a sufficient stock of gear for all guests. We also are unable to facilitate guided hikes.

Holden Village recommends that all hikers take the ten essentials with them when heading out on the trails: a first aid kit, extra foods & water, a flashlight, matches, sun protections, emergency blanket, pocket knife, compass, map, and extra clothing.

  • Day Hike Supplies – Water bottles • first aid kits • sunscreen & bug spray • day packs • trekking poles • bear spray • compasses • fly and spin cast fishing rods and tackle
  • Overnight Hiking Supplies – Tents • sleeping bags • sleeping pads • stoves • flashlights • rope & bear bags • cookware • matches
  • Winter Hiking Supplies – Snowshoes • nordic skiis • backcountry skiis • ski poles • ski boots • hand & foot warmers

Essential items, including dehydrated food, water bottles, simple tools, fire starters, emergency blankets, clothing, basic first aid supplies, sunscreen, area maps, bug spray, and regional field guides can also be purchased in the Holden Store.

Additional Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

Fishing

It is Washington State Law that anyone older than the age of 15 must have a fishing license before fishing. It is illegal to fish in the state of WA without a valid fishing license. Unfortunately, Holden Village is no longer able to provide fishing passes for sale due to changing state regulations. Holden Village staff, guests, and visitors are responsible for purchasing and having their license with them before fishing.

WA fishing licenses can be purchased online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. Please note when purchasing your license online it takes at least 10 days for it to be received by mail. Another option is to purchase your fishing license in person at a retailer before you arrive. There are two locations in Chelan WA that sell fishing licenses:

Walmart
108 N Apple Blossom Dr
Chelan, WA 98816

(509) 682-4291

Kelly’s Hardware
128 E Woodin Ave
Chelan, WA 98816

(509) 682-2815

Holden does not provide bait. The Village Naturalist can give you advice on where to fish and Holden Village has some spin casting poles, fly fishing poles, nets, and reels for loan. You are welcome to bring your own fishing gear.

Skiing & Winter Recreation

Holden often offers cross country skiing lessons and snowshoeing opportunities
throughout the winter.

Holden often offers cross country skiing lessons and short guided hikes via snowshoe throughout the winter. We have a collection of cross country skis, boots, & poles, several sets of used backcountry skis, and many pairs of snowshoes that are available for use.

Winter recreation at Holden comes with many potential hazards. Avalanches run out frequently around the village and along popular recreational routes throughout the winter and spring. The Northwest Avalanche Center provides daily avalanche forecasts through most of the winter. Holden’s weather is also updated daily. Mountain weather may change quickly and unexpectedly. Come expecting the best, but be prepared for the worst.

Climbing and Scrambling

Holden is in close proximity to many of Washington’s highest non-volcanic peaks including Maude, Copper Mt., Seven Fingered Jack, Mt. Fernow, and Bonanza. All of these summits are accessible by day or overnight trips. Although harder routes exist, the majority of summits surrounding the village are gained by third-fourth class climbing.

Hunting Restrictions

Hunters, please note that Holden does not allow firearms, including hunting rifles, on Holden transportation to or from Lucerne, nor are they permitted in the Village. Holden does not transport or store game. For more information, contact our Registrar.

Copper Creek Falls (1 mile, moderate)

  • The Copper Creek trail is one of the prettiest short trails near the village. It is especially nice on a hot day when you are looking for a place to contemplate and cool off. The spray from the falls splashing from the rocks is especially refreshing.
  • Head over the bridge south of Narnia and turn right until you cross Copper Creek. Then head left and due south, up the Copper Creek drainage until you see a pathway that curves right. Then you will see a sign and bridge walkway that pets you on the Copper Creek Falls Trail.

Tenmile Falls (2 miles roundtrip, easy)

  • The Tenmile Falls trail is maintained to be wheelchair accessible during the summer, making it a nice option for anyone with physical limitations or families with small children. 
  • Heading east out of Holden Village, follow the walking path, known as the Holden Hiker Trail (#1270), between Chalet 5 and Chalet 6. After leaving the village, the trail winds around large rocks, through aspen and Douglas fir forests to a view point. Here, you can rest on the benches available and look out to Copper Peak and over Copper and Railroad Creeks.
  • Go another 0.2 of a mile to find yourself on a viewing deck overlooking Ten Mile Falls. Past the falls overlook, the Tenmile Falls trail (#1241) narrows and begins switchbacking steeply uphill.

Honeymoon Heights (2 miles, moderate)

  • The trail begins just west of the Holden Garage on Level 2, leading you to Level 3. From the upper part of the trail you have some excellent views of Bonanza Peak, Hart Lake Falls, and Holden Lake valley. You also have a good view of the village nestled in the valley below.

Monkey Bear Falls (5 miles roundtrip, moderate)

  • This is a lovely, comparatively flat trail to Monkey Bear Falls, about 2.5 miles to the falls from Holden Village.
  • Follow the trail about two miles, passing below the quarry used for the Holden Mine remediation. After two miles, turn left and go up the trail to the viewing platform to see lovely Monkey Bear falls. There are steps that lead up higher but the trail disappears and it is not recommended to go higher than the platform.

Holden Lake (8 miles roundtrip, moderate/difficult)

  • Beginning from Holden, hike out on the Hart and Lyman lake trail, which meanders along the Railroad Creek valley. Stay on this trail for a mile, gently gaining elevation before arriving at the junction for the Holden Lake trail. Turn right onto this trail and begin climbing!
  • The trail sees some maintenance but due to its remoteness and the fact that it traverses avalanche chutes, the way can be quite brushy. But keep at it, and after four miles of switchbacks and climbing, you’ll finally arrive lakeside. No overnight camping is allowed within 200 feet of the lakeshore, but you can linger as long as you like here during the day, taking in the dramatic glaciers on Bonanza, the mountain looming over the lake to the west.

Hart Lake (9 miles roundtrip, moderate)

  • Take in views of scenic waterfalls and Bonanza Peak from the trail to Hart Lake. From Holden Village begin hiking along the dirt road for 1 mile to reach the Holden camping area and enter the Glacier Peak Wilderness. After 3.9 miles of gently ascending trail through cottonwood trees, you will be greeted by an impressive waterfall, followed by the stunning teal of Hart Lake. Enjoy fishing, swimming, and stunning views of Bonanza Peak, the tallest nonvolcanic mountain in Washington, before either returning to the Village or camping at nearby Rebel Camp.

Lyman Lake (18-21 miles roundtrip, difficult)

  • From Hart Lake, continue along the trail. Shallow, emerald green Lower Lyman Lake comes into view 3.2 miles beyond Rebel Camp. Continue around the lake, up and up to Upper Lyman Lakes, icy and blue under Chiwawa Mountain and the Lyman Glacier, with views up to Spider Gap. Scramblers can pass through the gap to Spider Meadows.
  • Another option from Lower Lyman is to hike 1.5 miles to Cloudy Pass for flower-strewn meadows and great views, including Sitting Bull Mountain and Needle Peak. A knoll Southwest of Cloudy Pass has an unobstructed view of nearby Glacier Peak.

Copper Basin (6 miles roundtrip, difficult)

  • The Copper Basin trail is almost exclusively accessible from Holden Village or via PCT from Cloudy Pass or Stehekin. The trail is relentlessly vertical. It heads up a ridge next to Copper Creek, then skirts the edge of Copper Basin providing intermittent but glorious views of Bonanza and Martin’s Ridge, and Copper Mountain.

Cloudy Pass Trail (18 miles, difficult)

  • This is an extension of the Lyman Lakes Trail and is a lovely walk through stately woods and across alpine meadows and tundra. In the Spring, the mass of wild flowers sprouting just as the snow melts surpasses the beauty of any home flower garden. At the pass is a beautiful view of Glacier Peak, an extinct covered volcano, rising 10,568 feet in the distance.

Education

Holden Village is a community where your questions are valued and encouraged. Most programs led by visiting teaching faculty occur during the summer months. However, Holden also invites faculty to teach sessions for special events and retreats throughout the rest of the year.
Check out a list of the 2024 Summer Faculty.