North Cascades Visitor Center
1:30 p.m.
The Park has a very nice Visitor Center featuring displays on
the natural history of the area, friendly Rangers, a small bookstore,
and rest rooms. The building is only ten years old. There is
a short .25 mile paved path that provides introductory information
on the plants and animals of the area, plus nice views of the
surrounding peaks. Of course it was cloudy, so our views were
limited to the features along the lower elevations. There is
also a campground and picnic areas nearby at Newhalem Creek.
Gorge Powerhouse and Ladder Creek Falls
3:15 p.m.
On the east edge of Newhalem we came across a rustic old powerhouse, still generating power. We parked in the small visitor parking area and walked across a suspension foot bridge over the Skagit River. From there we noticed a sign for "The Gardens," so we followed that and found ourselves among a small rain forest, similar to some of those that we'd seen in Olympic National Park along the coast.
The sky was already gray, so it made it dark underneath the canopy of leaves. There is a paved trail that winds its way through the area to several log bridges that overlook Ladder Creek. As you work your way back in there, you begin climbing. You can hear the roar of water, and suddenly there is an observation platform that faces the Ladder Creek Falls. The water has cut a narrow slit into the side of this vegetation covered cliff, and it cascades and pours down in a wild torrent. It is one of the more spectacular water falls that we have seen. The trail then winds its way to several small ponds that may have fish at other times of the year. There are benches where one could sit and contemplate the gardens, small waterfalls and cascades, a small working powerhouse that uses a water wheel to generate electricity, and more platforms overlooking the entire area. We noticed electric lights hidden strategically throughout the area and suspect that on certain nights of the year the area is lit up and must be a wonderful sight.
We eventually made our way to the other side of the dam, and crossed an auto bridge to the parking lot.
Gorge Dam, Gorge Lake, and Gorge Creek Falls
3:30 p.m.
There is a nice parking area with rest rooms just on the west side of the bridge. Walk along either side of the bridge to view Gorge Creek Falls and its canyon. Also view Gorge Lake and its amazing blue water. There is a trail that loops up around the back side of the restrooms that provides excellent views of the Gorge Dam and its reservoir. The trail is easy and runs for maybe .5 miles through the wooded and rocky area.
Diablo Lake Overlook
4:20 p.m.
From Diablo Lake Overlook, which is a large parking area, you get great views of the surrounding peaks and Diablo Lake itself. There are interpretive signs that explain the turquoise color of the lake and note the names of the peaks. There is a unique display of the geology of the Park.
Canyon Creek Trail
5:00 p.m.
This trailhead is probably not within the park, but just outside the boundary. There is plenty of parking and a descriptive kiosk and rest rooms. Make sure that you have a valid Northwest Forest Pass if you are going to hike this trail. We noted that many of the vehicles in the lot had been ticketed by Forest Rangers.
We hiked along the wide trail through the forest, along the creek. The trail in this area is heavily used by horses, and is pretty well chopped up. The ground was soft, but not muddy. We crossed a solid foot bridge, then the trail doubled back for a ways along the other side of the creek, then moved back into the forest a ways. We came to Beebe Cabin and a long log with railings that had been set across the creek to act as a bridge. As Anne walked across I could see the log bend in the middle. I suspect that it will hold up for many more years, but I didn't want to test fate. However, crossing it looked like fun.
We retraced our steps back to the Trooper. Our total distance was probably about .5 to .75 miles.
Washington Pass Overlook
5:40 p.m.
This is a very spectacular area, outside of the Park, but well worth the visit. The road bends through a tight corner and the overlook is perched up on some high, exposed rocks. There is a rough trail from the large parking area that makes a short loop to the various overlooks. There are views in almost 360 degrees, with the peaks looming overhead and the canyon cut below. The clouds lifted just a bit, so we did finally get to see some of the upper peaks, but not much.
They have a very nice rest room facility which must have cost a bundle. Most of the rooms were closed for the season, but the place was spacious and modern. There was also drinking water. When we were preparing to leave it got very cold and began to sleet. But we soon passed out of that as we drove down Highway 20 toward Winthrop, where we spent the night. |
