Buckner Orchard Walk

The Buckner Homestead is one of many historic structures in the Stehekin valley, offering a peek into the early settlement of the valley. The Buckner Cabin, built in 1889, on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974, is the oldest structure in the valley. 100 years after its construction, the Buckner farm was established as an historic district. The district includes 15 buildings whose history represents a six decade span, from 1889 to the 1950s. Also featured are various landscape structures and ruins, and a large, still operational apple orchard irrigated by hand-dug ditches.

Today, the Park Service maintains the Buckner homestead and farm as an interpretive center, and it also serves as a community gathering place for residents and guests in the Stehekin valley.

To take a walking tour of the area, you will want to pick up a self-guided walk booklet at the beginning of Buckner Lane or near the cluster of historic buildings nestled deep in the orchard. Wandering along Buckner Lane, accessible from the Stehekin Valley Road, is a good way to access this area. Tall cedar trees shade the path, which follows a gravity irrigation ditch that was installed when the orchard was established more than 100 years ago, and still waters the orchard today.

Wondering what that concrete block is next to the apples? It’s used by locals for square dances, potlucks, and outdoor concerts in the summertime. Past this structure, take in the more historic buildings of the Buckner Homestead and see the old farm equipment. Views from the orchard include valley walls soaring up on either side; McGregor Mountain dominates the eastern valley wall. A large meadow full of grass just past the historic buildings begs to be waded through, and access to the Stehekin River is possible through a cool forested section.

An annual Harvest Fest is held here to celebrate (and, appropriately, harvest) the apples in the autumn. If you’re interested in attending, check out bucknerhomestead.org for details and to learn more about the history of the area.

WTA Pro Tip: The Buckner Homestead is just one stop on the tour of historic buildings in the Stehekin Valley. Also be sure to stop at the old schoolhouse just down the road. In fact, if you’re on the bus, get off when it stops at the old one-room schoolhouse and when you’re done there, walk up the road about a quarter mile to Buckner Orchard. Along the way, consider stopping at Rainbow Falls, as well.