The cycles and seasons.

The comings and goings of the seasons bring awareness of the complex ecosystems with a life-cycle-show of benefits. Every season is the best season to experience Cupping Hands as we are in operation 9 months out of the year, 6 weeks transition periods for spring cleaning and winterizing. What to expect each season?

spring

Wildflowers, wildlife, medicinal plants and Morels wake up. Watching Kayakers navigate their way down the Class 5 River is a thrilling adventure in itself.

summer

Summer months offer long hours for community-building, “immunity- building” dips in the glacial river, limitless hiking, solitary solace or open-fire gatherings around cooking and music.

autumn

A feast of color for the eyes. Once the huckleberries have dried and gone, the Chanterelles, Matsutakes and many other edible mushrooms become plentiful and fill the air with musty aroma.

winter

Stay active and immersed in the elements. It contains pristine beauty, magic and a myriad of health benefits. It is also a time to explore silence, a place where reverence lies.

fragile ecosystems

This forested river site is abundant with huckleberries, wild edible mushrooms, medicinal plants and prolific wild flowers. The delicate mosses and ground covers make it imperative to limit surface impact of the land to thirty people at one time.

coexist with wildlife

Here is an opportunity to coexist with and preserve precious things in danger. With the absence of domestic pets that may deter free range and safety of wildlife, you may encounter mountain goats sunning themselves in the crags above you or anything from a river otter to a brown bear or wolf, blue grouse, tananger, canadian lynx, marten, salmon or mink. Image by Kati Fleming.

health benefits

Tune in to the therapeutic qualities of rugged mountains, glacial waters, mountain air, medicinal plants. Explore the physical, spiritual and psychological healing benefits of this site as Mother Nature provides natural antidotes to many human conditions created by chaotic urban living. The purifying mist rising from the rushing river is soothing, refreshing and rejuvenating. Learn more about healing your mind and body at Cupping Hands.

extreme verticality

You will find your visit here a true adventure from beginning to end. We don’t take you on an adventure, the adventure comes to you. This dramatic river canyon creates a presence of inscrutability and uplifted energy. Kayakers run this Class 5 River 50 feet off your back deck. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding start at your doorstep. Learn more about our offered programs.

minimal impact structures

There are two unique, minimal impact structures on the land. One is a 20-foot yurt with cantilevered deck sitting above the river’s edge. Down the trail a hundred yards is a 400 square foot treehouse hanging 65 feet above the river. Both have unobstructed views of the river canyon and the Goat Mountains. Learn more about our unique perspective architecture.

Experience

Cupping Hands Wilderness Sanctuary offers immersive lodging, group integration, solitary introspection and cross cultured pollination. This is about you, your experience with the land and water and how it transforms.

Unplug from the virtual and connect to the vital. With no electricity, phone, internet or distractions, you’ll have an opportunity to settle into the natural rhythms of your body and your surroundings. Reconnect to ancient wisdom principles through a solitary retreat or group journey.

sensory awakening

Lay on the ground, bond with carpets of green velvet moss, breathe the crisp mountain air, the river mist. Contemplate in tranquil meadows. Take in the colors, the textures, the visual drama, the bird song. Let your eyes acclimate as night falls. Star gaze.

hidden mysteries

Reverence lies in silence, in the snow, in the dark and in the things that reveal themselves in their passing away. It is in our narrowed perception that we create fear of things hidden in the wilds. We are protected here while we protect a sacred environment.

collective memories

Group experiences are designed to strengthen awareness of, and connection to, the earth and to one another. The outdoor kitchen and fire pit areas called the HUB are the gathering places for open-fire cooking, fireside stories, and music.

Stay

Enter solitude.

Enter into this sacred wilderness setting and into your own sacred, adventurous being. This land is dramatic, majestic and powerful yet we are fully embraced and protected by mother nature. Join us, in return as caring stewards protecting this sacred environment. Currently, there are three perepsectives from which you can enjoy the wildnerness sanctuary. Your experiences at Cupping Hands may unfold in stages and deepen with time. All rates listed are per night. Please email us for special requests. View details to plan your visit. Extended stays enhance your connectivity.

talking river treehouse

A full moon night at 65 feet above the river is about as much magic as one person can allow for oneself. The upper floor sleeps 2 and lower floor sleeps 4. Upstairs bedding is provided. The existing Davis Peak outhouse is a 3 minute trek down the trail. Bring sleeping bags for the lower floor. Accommodates 6 guests. + $20/ extra guest. View the treehouse.

$110 / per night (2 guests)

half moon yurt

The deck of the yurt is dramatically perched above the river valley. The yurt provides cozy accommodations for 4, is equipped with a scandinavian wood stove and mini kitchen with cook top and oven. The Davis Peak outhouse is 200 feet away. The futon sleeps 2. The other 2 need sleeping bags. Accommodates 4 guests. +$40/ extra guest. View the yurt.

$150 / per night (2 guests)

tent sites

All 6 sites are in close proximity to the main HUB- the outhouse, outdoor kitchen, eating area, and 2 fire pits. Bring your own tent or we’ll supply one. View the campground.

$90 / tent / per night (2 guests)

Cupping Hands also offers week or month long solitary retreats. Please email us if interested.

Vision

We believe in deepening our connection to the natural world by bridging the wisdom of ancient cultures to current world needs.

allowing the land to heal

The Cupping Hands land represents a microcosm of our planet struggling to heal itself. Since the mid nineteenth century the miners, settlers, railroad builders, loggers and present-day campers have consecutively shown little regard for Mother Earth. Much of this surface area was been upturned, tunneled into, and left scarred. Restoring and rewilding our damaged ecosystems can bring wonder back into our lives.

Reconnecting to the sacred

Mother Nature has a way of catapulting us out of a narrow focus and instantly connecting us to our vastness, stripping us of ego and unveiling our transparency. Enter into this sacred wilderness setting and into your own sacred, adventurous being where personal and group experiences are designed to strengthen awareness of, and connection to, the earth and to one another.

embracing unique perspectives

The architecture allows the existing and future structures to pay homage to the rugged, rocky landscape and abundant water sources. Each is lovingly integrated into its surroundings with complete adherence to the fragile ecosystem. This helps achieve a more direct experience with mother nature.

Programs

Cultivating reverence.

Embracing earth based principles as a core value , we offer three integrated levels of experience that promote deeper connectivity.

contemplation

Without conversations

Meditating in this dramatic wilderness setting provides the platform for profound awakenings. Our contemplative practices are oriented primarily to buddhist and native american principles of connection, reverence, empathy and service. Cupping Hands offers unique spaces for solitary retreats and group teachings. Contact us if you have interest in scheduling your own retreat or event at Cupping Hands.

education

Conversations with others

Developing reverence for the natural world is the most vital link to healing our planet. In our Classroom in the Wild, we emphasize young years education, where we are planting seeds of love and respect for Mother Earth, and inspiring visions for futures of well-being and interconnectedness. Contact us if you have interest in scheduling your own retreat or event at Cupping Hands.

integration

Conversations with nature

Restoring a sense of purpose, cultivating multicultural healing, engaging in dialogue with Mother Earth and hearing “her” story, all require deep and empathetic listening. Our programs help bring the awareness of our inseparability. Through your participation we can explore the power of ceremony, ritual and a moving toward the sacred, together. Contact us if you have interest in scheduling your own retreat or event at Cupping Hands.

Location

Astounding beauty surrounds us.

Nestled in the heart of the Central Cascades, this sanctuary is surrounded by the best that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. To the west lie the Goat Mountains and Davis peak. We are surrounded by the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and to the north east are the Enchantment Lakes. With 615 miles of backcountry trails and 700+ mountain lakes, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area have limitless adventure. Here are a handful of activities you can do when visiting.

wenatchee national forest

The property is surrounded by the Wenatchee National Forest. The Cle Elum Ranger Station, just east of Roslyn is the closest to the property. That is the place to find maps, permit information, and other information about the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the Enchantments, Mt. Daniel, and other hikes near the property.

pacific crest trail

The Pacific Crest Trail runs along the backside of Goat Mountains above you. Accessed 4 miles up the valley is the trailhead to the Cathedral Rock-Deception Pass Loop. Reviewed as one of the most beautiful mountain valleys, this route offers a taste of some of the finest meadows, deepest lakes, and craggiest mountains in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.

town of roslyn

The Last Resort (or more recently named the Starlight Resort) is 14 miles from the property and is the first food and gas. The first town is Ronald and 1 1/2 miles south is Roslyn. They are about 25 miles from the property. Rosyln is quiant little town with ample food and shopping options.

enchantment lakes

The Enchantment Lakes area of the Central Cascade Mountains in Washington State are some of the most beautiful lakes in the western United States. They are within hiking distance of the property. This link has a nice collection of photos of larch trees turning in the fall.

Stewards

Preserving the wild.

In this small space on planet earth, we are preserving precious things in danger. We are paying homage not only to the many endangered or threatened birds, animals and waterlife that you may see on this land, but to the indigenous people that inhabited this and other lands who face extinction. This condition stems from the hearts and minds of each of us and it is only us who has the capability to create change. Those who understand and own this responsibility are the stewards who are called here.

It takes a collective approach to prepare for what lies ahead, in our own lives and in future generations. It also takes a collective attitude to help keep this land sacred and protected. Our advisors are environmentalists, native americans, educators, thought leaders, contemplative minds, communications experts and geeks. The following are dedicated to maintaining it as a sacred resource, free from development, logging or surface alterations.

Cupping Hands

A wilderness sanctuary, a sacred site.