North Cascades National Park
Buckner Lane to Buckner Orchard
easy FamiliesHistory BuffsEasy Strolls
0.3 mi Distance
0 ft Elevation Gain
Varies Estimated Time
one_way Trail Type
What to Expect
This is less a hike and more a living history lesson disguised as a pleasant walk. From the trailhead near the Stehekin Valley, you'll follow a flat, well-worn path alongside hand-dug irrigation ditches that date back over a century — the kind of infrastructure that makes you appreciate how much work homesteading actually was. The forest canopy keeps things cool and shaded as you wander through towering conifers and deciduous trees before emerging into the Buckner Orchard, a clearing of gnarled apple trees listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Grab a self-guided booklet at the start and you'll learn the full story of the Buckner family's attempt to carve out a life in one of the most remote valleys in the Lower 48. Perfect for history buffs, families with small kids, and anyone who wants a mellow stroll after arriving on the Lady of the Lake ferry.
Trail Details
Distance 0.3 miles round-trip
Difficulty easy
Estimated Time Varies
Trail Type one_way
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Buckner Lane to Buckner Orchard
Pro Tips
Trail Tip
Pick up the self-guided walk booklet at the trailhead before you start — it transforms a short walk into a genuinely fascinating history tour with numbered stops that correspond to homestead features you'd otherwise walk right past.
Trail Tip
Time this walk for late September or early October when the orchard's heritage apple trees are loaded with fruit — the Park Service allows visitors to pick and eat apples right off the trees, which might be the best free snack in any national park.
Trail Tip
Combine this with the nearby Rainbow Falls trail to make a proper half-day out of your Stehekin visit, since the ferry schedule gives you limited time in the valley and you don't want to waste it sitting around the landing.
Photos
NPS
