HOLDEN VILLAGE IS CLOSED TO ALL GUESTS, INCLUDING HIKERS. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.
Holden's Road to Recovery
Preparing to Welcome guests back to the wilderness
Holden Village is currently closed to all guests and hikers and is not accepting reservations at this time.
Our Current Situation
In mid-December 2025, an atmospheric river brought unusually warm temperatures and heavy rain to the North Cascades, triggering mudslides and severe washouts that damaged roads and infrastructure for our neighbors in Stehekin and in the Railroad Creek Valley. Several slides heavily damaged Forest Service Road 8301—the Village’s only access route. Until the road can be repaired, Holden Village will remain closed to guests. The U.S. Forest Service is overseeing the repair effort and has placed the project on the fastest timeline possible. The exact reopening date remains uncertain.
In the meantime, a small caretaker team remains in the Village to maintain the property, while other staff continue operations, communications, and programming remotely downlake. Holden is accepting limited applications for in-Village and downlake staff positions — view Join our team for current job postings.
Learn more about what happened here. For regular updates, follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter.
This is the current view of the weather conditions at Holden Village. Our webcam, located at the top of Chalet Hill looking south towards Buckskin Mountain (left) and Copper Peak (right) takes a new photo every 30 minutes, which is updated to our website. View current weather here.
Road Reconstruction Update (August 2026)
Major milestones have been reached in the restoration of access to Holden Village via Forest Service Road 8301. During late spring and early summer 2026, a full picture of the storm damage emerged, revealing worse and more extensive destruction than initially feared. In addition to the large slides, tension cracks and unstable slopes were found. With this information the road repair working group identified options for repair and restoration.
It became apparent that it would be unsafe to keep the road in the same place. The portion of the road known as “The Narrows” was a central concern. Research into the history of the road revealed that the reasons for the original road path are no longer relevant. To minimize the impact of future slides and avalanches, an option was developed to relocate a portion of the road path closer to the bottom of Railroad Creek valley.
This month, experts and government officials are in the final stages of agreeing to a preferred option that includes a new route for approximately 2.5 miles of FSR 8301. Work to repair damaged roadway and stabilize slopes will be done from the 4 mile area all the way to Holden Village. Archaeological and environmental impact assessments have been initiated. Historical records and past assessments give the working group optimism that no issues will arise and that an expedited approval is possible.
In anticipation of the final legal agreements being signed, Rio Tinto has been getting ready to start construction. They have already completed a long list of “no regrets” tasks – those that will need to be done no matter the specific options the legal agreements outline. It is clear to us that Rio Tinto is very motivated to get the road reopened so they can resume operations.
Reopening Timeline
So what does this mean for reopening Holden Village to guests? With the information we have now, we are hoping to reopen in 2028, but planning for 2029. In other words, while we will be ready to reopen to guests as soon as conditions allow, we must prepare as an organization to make it without guests in the Village until 2029.
Why is it going to take so long? Three main reasons:
- the damage is widespread and extensive,
- the location is remote and poses significant engineering and logistical challenges, and
- the construction season in Railroad Creek Valley is short and subject to disruptions from wildfires and other potential climate-related issues.
We realize how disappointing this news may be. Certainly we did not anticipate a disruption of this size to start our time at Holden. It was a year ago that we began our directorship in the midst of the Pomas and Martin fires. The December landslides and Little Giant fire have filled the year with even more challenges.
What has become clear to us is that Holden Village’s future will include more fires, floods, and environmental curveballs. In this we are not alone.
Climate change continues to wreak havoc on far flung corners of the Earth. Holden Village finds itself on a growing list of beloved places and communities that have no choice but to consider life with these big consequences.
We have been working closely with the Board of Directors to consider the best course of action for the Village given these conditions, and how to prepare the village to be more resilient in the face of our future challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the situation with the road?
The US Forest Service (USFS), with cooperation from Chelan County Emergency Management, reports at least 11 slide areas along Forest Service Road (FSR) 8301. Several of these slide areas are easily cleared of mud, boulders, and trees with heavy equipment. In at least one place, and perhaps several, the integrity of the road has been compromised. The most obvious is near mile post 4, at the location of the long-time avalanche chute known as “Old Faithful.”
The USFS has issued a road closure order for both motorized and nonmotorized travel and presence on FSR 8301 from the Lucerne commercial dock all the way through Holden Village to the ballfield. We have submitted the necessary applications for access on the road for a limited number of individuals because the closure will technically prohibit access to all people and vehicles from using Main Street in Holden Village. Holden Village has been granted permission for up to 15 designated In-Village Team members to be able to access the road from Mile Post 9 out to the ballfield and up to the maintenance buildings.
From the closure order: “The closure on Forest System Road 8301 starts at and includes Lucerne commercial dock and continues up the road to its terminus.” It is set to expire on December 31, 2027 unless rescinded sooner. A map is available here.
Will the road be fixed?
Yes! The Forest Service has every intention of repairing the road. Holden Village and Rio Tinto’s operations in Railroad Creek Valley are vital to the public interest and we have every expectation that the road will be repaired as soon as possible.
Has any progress been made on road repairs?
Yes! Rio Tinto had done significant work this spring and summer, conducting assessments and putting together initial plans and proposals for the new road.
Here is a summary of the work that has been so far:
- March 2026 – As soon the snow started melting, Rio Tinto and engineering consultants performed three field reconnaissance visits, confirming road conditions are worse than expected.
- April 2026 – Initial site visit with USFS, discussion shifts from repair to realignment. Completed LiDAR drone Digital Terrain Model. This model is used to support the geotechnical investigation and the engineering basis of design and road alignment alternatives analysis.
- May 2026 – Alternatives analysis workshop held. Site visit with Rio Tinto engineering consultants and USFS team and their engineering consultants, including presentation to USFS on road alignment alternatives.
- June 2026 – Rio Tinto shares draft legal agreement, Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (ASAOC), with USFS attorneys and continues legal discussions. This agreement is required for Rio Tinto (private entity) to perform work on a federally owned road.
- July 2026 – Rio Tinto performed environmental and cultural resource surveys to support potential Fall 2026 early works.
- August 2026 – Rio Tinto receives draft comments on ASAOC from USFS attorneys. Rio Tinto hosts contractor(s) site visit to USFS Road 8301 to gather information to support bids.
When will the Village reopen?
With the information we currently have, we’re hoping to reopen in 2028, but planning to make it 2029. In other words, while we will be ready to reopen to guests as soon as conditions allow, we must prepare as an organization to make it without guests in the Village until 2029. This timeline is based on the information we know about the extent of the damage to the road and the length and complexity of the road repair process.
Why is it taking so long to repair the road?
Three main reasons:
- The damage is widespread and extensive, it will require significant engineering and planning to return the road to safe driving conditions.
- The location is remote and poses significant engineering and logistical challenges, particularly with only one route available for bringing in equipment and supplies.
- The construction season in Railroad Creek Valley is short and subject to disruptions from wildfires and other potential climate-related issues. A long wildfire season, and/or early snowfall or late spring snowmelt can shorten the construction season dramatically. Unfortunately, we only have a limited window of time each year where construction can happen.
What is Holden doing to speed things along?
In addition to our work with USFS and Chelan County, we have also been meeting with our US congresswoman, Dr. Kim Schrier, and the regional staff of Washington Governor Bob Fergusson, US Senator Patty Murray, and US Senator Maria Cantwell. Many other officials and representatives at the county, state, and national level are also offering vital support to the process. While we cannot make federal processes go any faster than they are designed to go, we are doing everything we can to ensure the speediest paths are taken and that attention is given to the vital role Holden Village plays in the local economy, the conservation of our historic properties, and the support we offer to wildland firefighters and countless recreationists. We are also highlighting the importance of the mine remediation work in the valley and the partnerships we contribute to in stewarding the unique and vital ecology of the North Cascades, Lake Chelan, and ultimately the Columbia River. We have received assurances from all of these partners that FSR 8301 will be opened and that we will have their cooperation and assistance in every way possible.
Can Holden people just go fix it?
No. Since it is a federally owned road, any unauthorized work on the road is illegal. Until the road closure order is lifted, it is also illegal to access the dock at Lucerne or travel in any form on or across FSR 8301.
What is Holden’s “Special Use Permit” and why does it matter so much now?
We are working closely with USFS Entiat-Chelan District Ranger Holly Krake and Chelan County Emergency Management Sergeant Jason Renield on maintaining Holden’s access to the village. Because Holden Village does not own the land on which the Village is located, we have a “special use permit” that grants Holden Village permission to operate on Federally owned lands. This is a common process by which private entities operate everything from resorts and cabins, to ski areas and horseback tours on public land.
Unlike private property owners, we do not have the legal authority to remain in our buildings during a government mandated evacuation. Furthermore, the requirements of our permit must be met in order for us to operate on federal land, including cooperation with local government entities, including the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. The ability to remain in the Village without normal overland egress relies on our risk and safety planning and communication with Chelan County Emergency Management and the USFS. We are in contact with Chelan County Commissioner Brad Hawkins and Sheriff Mike Morrison to ensure open communication and cooperation.
Who is paying for the road repair?
This is part of what is being negotiated between Rio Tinto and USFS. Once there is a signed ASAOC from both parties, we will know more about the funding.
What’s going on in the Village and valley right now?
A core group of In-Village Team members are rotating into the Village roughly every three weeks. We travel via helicopter with groceries to supplement the food stores already in the Village. The team is led by our Operations and Services Managers, with Executive Director support in the Village every other three week period. The team is made up of operations, services, and risk and safety team members. They are carrying on a variety of Holden traditions and rhythms as best they can while maintaining systems, buildings, and grounds. Plans are being created now for future incorporation of additional volunteers and employees as needed.
Rio Tinto evacuated completely on December 13 and is still evaluating when they will return to the valley. The water coming directly from the mine is being collected in the mountain cavity where it is being stored for future treatment. At present, untreated water from the tailings has now filled the storage pool near the water treatment plant and is flowing into Railroad Creek. USFS and Rio Tinto have stated that there is no health and human safety risk from this flow. While FSR 8301 is closed, Rio Tinto is not held legally responsible for this situation according to the USFS. We continue to be in close contact with Rio Tinto’s management and we are very grateful for our partner in the Valley. Before leaving, Rio Tinto shared additional food and maintenance supplies with the Holden In-Village Team.
Can I still hike into Holden Village?
How is the Village handling the closure financially?
We’ve been focused on this in two different ways. First, we’ve done our best to cut costs in the places we can. Without a Village full of guests, there are a number of expenses we can go without. However, we have a baseline of financial need whether we are open to guests or not. Even a closed Holden takes significant resources to run!
So without guest revenue, we have turned to our community for support. In January we revised our fundraising goal for the year from $550,000 to $1.5 million. And as of late August we have raised nearly $1.4 million towards that goal. This incredible philanthropic support puts us in a strong financial position as we turn to fundraising to sustain us during this closure and beyond.
Why is Holden so expensive to run if there are no guests?
Our beloved historic buildings are expensive to maintain and repair. Coupled with our complex operating systems, we need near constant vigilance to keep things in good condition and running smoothly. That requires maintaining a staffing presence in the Village. And with FSR 8301 impassible, we now rely on helicopters to transport everything from people to groceries to maintenance supplies. This mode of transportation has added significant costs to our operations. Plus we have many expenses that don’t change, regardless of the number of people in the Village.
Our biggest single area of expense has been and continues to be staff. It takes people to run a Village, even one without guests! And though we can rely on volunteers for a multitude of things, we also need a stable, consistent team of knowledgeable and skilled staff to keep our operations running, our systems going, and our community engaged.
How long can the Village sustain itself in its current state?
With the plans we currently have in place, we hope to sustain the Village through 2029. We will continue to rely heavily on philanthropic support and pay attention to cost saving opportunities whenever possible. If we experience significant delays in construction that push our reopening timeline past 2029, we will reevaluate our plans to determine what a viable path forward might look like.
Can I make a reservation for Holden Village now?
No, we are not currently accepting reservations for Holden Village, nor do we have a waiting list. If you want to be among the first notified when we will begin accepting reservations, you can still sign up for our First Five Thousand email list. Until then, the best way to stay on top of Holden news is to subscribe to our e-newsletter or follow us on social media.
If I volunteer in the Village, can I bring my children with me?
No. With FSR 8301 impassible, we have limited options for evacuating in an emergency. Because of this, we are not currently allowing children to be in the Village. All Village children were evacuated in December 2025 and the Holden School will remain closed until the road reopens.
Our Strategic Directive for Recovery
Holden Village creates transformative spiritual experiences that make the world more just, sustainable, and compassionate. For 65 years, we have welcomed tens of thousands of individuals and families to faith-rooted programs that renew relationships with God, the earth, and one another. As we navigate this season of recovery, we are preparing to welcome 5,000 Villagers back to the Village within 12 months of reopening and to deepen our commitment to carry Holden’s gifts of community and connection into the wider world.
Our Strategic Priorities for Recovery
- Maintain and care for Holden’s current operations, people, and infrastructure.
- Connect with the Holden Village community around the world.
- Improve Holden’s systems and resilience so we can return to a better Village.
How You Can Help
Support the Village financially
Holden Village will weather this storm because of the generosity of our community. There are many ways you can support us financially:
- Make a gift online or send your gift to:
Holden Village
HC 0 Box 2
Chelan, WA 98816
- Participate in the Jubilee Auction, March 25-29.
- Stay at the Holden Village Bed & Breakfast now available for individual and group reservations.
- Visit the Holden Store Online and purchase unique Holden items, gifts, and treasures
Help us recruit staff
Though we haven’t reopened yet, we’re already preparing to welcome guests back to the Village. Filling open staff positions will be crucial to our ability to successfully reopen. You can help us recruit staff by keeping an eye out for opportunities in our newsletter or on social media and helping us share them far and wide!
Programming Continues
While the Village is closed to guests, Holden remains committed to offering programming and educational opportunities. These might range from virtual sessions offered by previously scheduled faculty to in-person retreats organized in collaboration with our partners across the country. You can view a calendar of upcoming events on our website and Facebook page.