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.
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.
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 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.
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.
This is a lovely, comparatively flat trail to Monkey Bear Falls, about 2.5 miles to the falls from Holden Village.
Beginning from Holden, hike out on the Hart and Lyman lake trail, which meanders along the Railroad Creek valley.
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.
From Hart Lake, continue along the trail. Shallow, emerald green Lower Lyman Lake comes into view 3.2 miles beyond Rebel Camp.
The Copper Basin trail is almost exclusively accessible from Holden Village or via PCT from Cloudy Pass or Stehekin.
This is an extension of the Lyman Lakes Trail and is a lovely walk through stately woods and across alpine meadows and tundra.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
