Rooted in the Valley: The Women Who Shaped Stehekin
As America marks its 250th anniversary, the America250 initiative reminds us that some of the most powerful stories in our national heritage are not found in history books, they are lived quietly in remote valleys, along mountain trails, and in communities that time has not touched. At Stehekin Adventures, a proud member of the Adventures Unbound family, we are honoring Women’s History Month by celebrating the women who have dedicated their lives to this singular, roadless corner of the North Cascades.
Lives Woven Into the Land
Ana Maria Spagna is perhaps Stehekin’s most widely heard voice. A writer and former National Park Service trail worker, she has spent decades living in this remote community and channeling its spirit into essays and books that resonate far beyond the valley. Her work, including Potluck: Community on the Edge of Wilderness, explores what it means to live in true relationship with nature, neighbors, and the wilderness itself, a question Stehekin asks of everyone who comes here.
The roots of the valley run deep through Elizabeth “Bucky” Gans, daughter of early settlers Harry and Olive Buckner. Raised in Stehekin at a time when life here demanded real resilience, Bucky became a lifelong advocate for the valley, working to ensure that its history and heritage were never forgotten. Her family name lives on in the land itself, a testament to generations of stewardship.
That stewardship continues with Wendy Garfoot, a long time resident who has helped care for the historic Buckner Homestead, one of the most tangible connections to Stehekin’s agricultural past. Her quiet, dedicated work to preserve the orchard and the community spirit surrounding it ensures that future visitors can experience the valley not just as a wilderness destination, but as a living piece of American history.
And then there is the soul of the valley set to music. Peggy Courtney, a singer songwriter and member of one of Stehekin’s most storied families, has spent years capturing the heart of this place in song. Her performances and the stories she shares keep the community’s identity alive in a way that no photograph or document ever quite can.
Come Find Your Own Connection
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the women who chose Stehekin and in doing so helped make it what it is. Whether you come for the trails, the orchard, the quiet, or the stories, you will find a valley shaped by people who loved it fiercely. To learn more about how we are honoring the diverse threads of America’s national heritage, visit America250 at Adventures Unbound and explore the history of the North Cascades at the National Park Service.
