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Shoko Member
Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 142 | TRs | Pics Location: Graham, WA |
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Shoko
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Mon Oct 04, 2010 9:22 pm
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I spent 4 days hiking and camping in North Cascades. What an amazing place! I felt like I was in a dream whole time I was there...and it was a good dream.
9/27 After driving 4.5hrs in misty rain, reached to Klipchuck campground, our home for next 3 days. Place was very empty, just me and another multi-family group. And they were totally opposite side so I had a total solitude. Set our tent and took a quick walk to Early Winter Creek. Saw all kinds of mushrooms.
Rainy&foggy start... Skagit River along Hwy20 "Loooong drive...Are we there yet, mom?" Our base camp at Klipchuck Camp Ground Max cooling off in Early Winter Creek
9/28 We hiked Maple Pass Loop. Amazing fall color! Unfortunately it was rainy, windy and foggy...could not get much views from the top...
Mushroom Maple Pass Loop Autumn!
Took a side trip to Lake Ann.
Lake Ann
Back to main trail and up, up, up in rain and wind.
Fall color sammich! Lake Ann I'm blinded by fall color! Rainy and windy...now foggy too... Lake Ann from above Max is not allowed beyond the sign! Fog is getting thick... Looking down Rainy Lake...in rain... Max with fall color. "I need a rain coat, mom!"
I wish the weather was a lot nicer, but I really enjoyed the hike. Back to camp, dried my gears and dog...then what do you know? I started seeing the blue sky and sunshine...damn...
Back at camp, drying my gears and dog... Tired pooch
Hopped back in my car and drove to Washington Pass Overlook. The short trail at WPO was under construction, so took me less than a minute to complete the "hike".
Blue sky is back! Why couldn't I hike in THIS weather!? Washington Pass Kangaroo Ridge
Back to camp, Japanese curry&rice with beer hit the spot!
Japanese curry&rice with beer...peeeerfect...
9/29 Couldn't sleep well from a lot colder temperature and loud footsteps I heard right outside our tent... Woke up to see the blue sky with not even one cloud! YES! And Max found out who the footsteps belonged to. A deer! He barked and chased it away.
Today's destination, Cutthroat Pass. Hiking on that trail is like a walking in a big garden. So beautiful. Larches are getting ready for their big show.
9/29/10 Off to Cutthroat Pass. Yay! Blue sky!! Cool looking larch Cairn&Larch Huge boulder rock. Looks like a ruin. Entering larch world Cutthroat Pass Max taking a nap at Cutthroat Pass "Peas&Carrots" signature shot So happy!! Dome Peak PCT keeps going North Looking down next destination, Cutthroat Lake Larch getting ready for the show! Red Carpet
After soaking up the view and sun, we reluctantly, VERY reluctantly left the pass. Then took a side trip to Cutthroat Lake.
Cutthroat Lake "I was waiting for this!!" Creek crossing
9/30 Final day... I wished I had few more days...
Stopped by Washington Pass Overlook again in the morning.
My commute Washington Pass Overlook Liberty Bell
Then off to Blue Lake.
Moss or Fungus??? Amanita mushroom Off to Blue Lake "I found a shelter!" Blue Lake Baby larch looking down Blue Lake Blue vs Yellow "...I'm getting sleepy..." Zzzzzz... Aptly named Blue Lake
Drove back west on Hwy20. Stopped by Diablo Lake viewpoint and Gorge Creek Falls.
Diablo Lake Gorge Creek Falls Thank you for the wonderful time, North Cascades! I'll be back for sure!!
Really enjoyed the scenic drive till I hit Seattle traffic...just like that somebody woke me up...I was having a great dream...
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kite Member
Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 1420 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympia |
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kite
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Tue Oct 05, 2010 8:05 am
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Most excellent trip report!
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OregonOutdoorMan Member
Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Posts: 1 | TRs | Pics Location: Vancouver, Washington |
Thanks for the pics! Makes me wanna go there too!
"Cha bi neoni lathair gun seorsainn"
"Cha bi neoni lathair gun seorsainn"
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Shoko Member
Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 142 | TRs | Pics Location: Graham, WA |
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Shoko
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Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:44 pm
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kite,
Thank you! I read your Maple Pass&Lake Ann TR. Beautiful photos! Looks like you had a better weather up there than I did. Those lakes' look so different without fall color around them!
OregonOutdoorMan,
Please GO!!! Well...looks like it's gonna be a loooonger drive for you though! I'm sure it's worth it
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bertman Member
Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 362 | TRs | Pics
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bertman
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Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:45 pm
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Thanks for sharing. Those are some fine hikes. They have been on my to do list but I haven't gotten around to them. Setting up a base camp and making day trips seems the way to go. Would you recommend Klipchuck Campground?
Bertman
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half fast member
Joined: 21 Mar 2010 Posts: 1392 | TRs | Pics Location: Living the dream in my 5th Wheel |
It's all about the fun, oh and maybe the chocolate - half fast
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Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Tue Oct 05, 2010 10:09 pm
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Great TR Shoko! Thanks for sharing.
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Shoko Member
Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 142 | TRs | Pics Location: Graham, WA |
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Shoko
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Wed Oct 06, 2010 5:38 pm
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Quote: | Setting up a base camp and making day trips seems the way to go. Would you recommend Klipchuck Campground? |
Bertman, yeah...when it comes to backpacking, I'm such a wuss... Setting the base camp was very relaxing and I really enjoyed it.
There is Lone Fir Campground which is closer to all trails I hiked but Klipchuck is a bit bigger(I think). Plus I didn't mind a couple of minute longer drive, since it's very scenic! In fact it was hard to focus on driving... Has some spacious sites and clean. Nothing special, but yes, I recommend it. It seems deer visit there quite often. Better than bears!
Quote: | It looks like you kind of maxedout Max a few times but he sure seemed to be enjoying himself. I really like your photos of the two of you enjoying the view.
Oh, looking at your dinner makes me think I want to hike with you... |
halffast, I noticed there are lots of photos of Max just past out! He's getting old but even when he's not hiking, he looks like that all the time... Drooling must be a hard work!
I LOVE curry! Curry and rice, both comes in a pouch, so all I have to do is boil the pouches in hot water for few minutes. Perfect for camping. Beer? Must have item, camping or not!
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Sennin Member
Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 691 | TRs | Pics Location: West Seattle |
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Sennin
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Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:14 pm
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Love the report and pics!
I did a similar trip a couple years ago...amazing places!
We 'base camped' out of Goodell Creek Campground. Which is free to camp in from Oct - Apr I think....just no water service.
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Shoko Member
Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 142 | TRs | Pics Location: Graham, WA |
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Shoko
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Thu Oct 07, 2010 4:41 pm
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Quote: | We 'base camped' out of Goodell Creek Campground. Which is free to camp in from Oct - Apr I think....just no water service. |
Sennin,
Is Goodell Creek Campground in NCNP? I've never been in NCNP. I'd LOVE to someday even though Max's not gonna like it
I wonder what the winter is like out there. If I remember right, there was a gate near Gorge Creek Falls. Do they close the road during winter? Most campgrounds are closed after Oct, so I've been looking for one! Thanks for the info
Oh, to anybody interested, Klipchuck campground's water service was closed when I was there.
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Sennin Member
Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 691 | TRs | Pics Location: West Seattle |
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Sennin
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Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:00 pm
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Shoko wrote: | Quote: | We 'base camped' out of Goodell Creek Campground. Which is free to camp in from Oct - Apr I think....just no water service. |
Sennin,
Is Goodell Creek Campground in NCNP? I've never been in NCNP. I'd LOVE to someday even though Max's not gonna like it
I wonder what the winter is like out there. If I remember right, there was a gate near Gorge Creek Falls. Do they close the road during winter? Most campgrounds are closed after Oct, so I've been looking for one! Thanks for the info
Oh, to anybody interested, Klipchuck campground's water service was closed when I was there. |
http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/campground-status.htm
Goodell is open year around, and free from May20th - Sept 26th. The gate was open for 1/2 of the campground, with a sign that said there was no fee, and no water/restroom service.
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