North Cascades National Park Complex connects 3 park units: North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.
Finally, I made it to more reasonable temperatures. Yes!!!
After being stuck in traffic for HOURS around Seattle, stopping for dinner and gas I arrived at my first Campground in the North Cascades. It was almost getting dark and I was very stressed about arriving during the daylight so I can find my way and park. Some of the campgrounds feel very remote, in most of them for the past two weeks I had no phone signal or internet access.
The only means of communication with my family was my inReach personal locator that allows for two-way messaging.
Marble Creek Campground
It’s only 8 miles away from 20 – Cascades Highway, right outside of Marblemount, WA but the drive felt like forever. And was very scary considering it was getting dark.
Marblemount has 2 gas stations, convenience store at each one, post office, and a few restaurants. Pretty much everything one would need, as long as one didn’t need much. 😊
Note: Click pictures to enlarge
This campground literally took my breath away. The lush tall trees covered in moss and the sound of the creek directly in front of my camper were amazing! There was firewood for sale, garbage, and bathrooms at the campground, but no dump station or water. The host very friendly and kept the bathrooms spotless. She told me the best place to get water was roughly 10 miles away in Marblemount, 2 miles east on 20 at Alpine RV park.
We spent time on the beach and walking around the campground and surrounding areas.
We even ventured out to drive down Cascade River Road past the 8-mile marker, but it quickly turned into unpaved, steep road with drop offs on one side. I think we made it to mile 19 or 20 and walked about 1-2 miles up.
If we would have made it to the top, mile 23, we could have hiked the Cascade Pass, but unfortunately, we didn’t make it. Plus there are no dogs allowed on hiking trails, so Aesop would have to wait in the camper.
Newhalem
Next stop was Newhalem Campground. It was actually inside the North Cascades National Park and had a Visitor Center where I purchased by National Park Stamp for my book.
I had a little fun meeting the display bear at the Visitor Center.
Park Rangers were there to answer questions about the park, hiking trails and provide various programs throughout the day. Maps are pretty much posted all over the campground.
I joined the Ranger program for Newhalem Guided Walk which offered information about the sights, sounds and stories along the Trial of the Cedar (short hiking loop in the rain-forest along Skagit River).
I also hiked the linking trail between campground loops and the Trail of the Cedars and the Rock Shelter trail.
One evening I rode my bike to the nearby Gorge Powerhouse and hiked the Ladder Creek Falls Trail. It was very beautiful, but the sun has gone down, even though it wasn’t dark yet, it gave me an uncomfortable eerie feeling being there alone. I got scared and hiked through it as fast as I could so I could get back to the parking lot. The place almost felt abounded. There is a Ranger Led program once or twice a week around that time, which I’m sure would make it more pleasant and educational than going solo.
Lastly, there is a beautiful view of The Picket Range from a deck right behind the Visitor Center. DO NOT MISS THIS… I almost did, as I never walked to the back of the building until my last night there and discovered this amazing view.
Colonial Creek South
It’s another campground within the boundaries of National Park. This campground is close to many trails and is a beautiful campground with decent size sites surrounded by old growth forest right against Diablo Lake.
Note: Click pictures to enlarge
All sites offer fire-pits, picnic tables, bear boxes and tent pads. The most disappointing was the fact that dump station and water to fill RV water tanks was not available. It was closed with no note to point campers towards closest alternatives.
Scientist monitor more than 300 Glaciers at North Cascades to understand effects of climate change on its ecosystem.
Daily tasks: Breakfast, hike, rest, dinner
Hello Ursula!
It was so good to receive your blog entry and your beautiful pics!!!!!! You are visiting some absolutely amazing and breathtaking places!!!!! What a blessing to be able to visit these places that most of us only dream about! I enjoyed looking at the pictures and reading the descriptions and narrations! It was almost like being there!
P.S. Did you make those Crepes? They look like they were made by a master chef!!!!!!
God bless you!!! Continued wonderful and safe travels to you! I look forward to more posts!!!!!
Jana
Hi Jana! Yes, I made the crapes, they were delicious.
Some of those places take my breath away, and each park gets better than previous. I will try uploading more often now that I have internet access again in Oregon/California.