Drive to Northern Cascades National Park

We left Alta Lake at about 10:30 and stopped for an early lunch in Twisp at a local bar. Twisp had been recently inundated by people from Winthrop a few miles further down the road. (Winthrop was evacuated for a wildfire.) Consequently the bar was low on some items which were to be delivered tomorrow. (Coke products specifically and Diet Dr Pepper). We managed a tasty lunch anyway.

Winthrop seemed back to its old self and hopping with tourists for the upcoming holiday when we drove through. The rest of the drive was beautiful and for me somewhat terrifying. I am very afraid of heights and we had to progress up and over the Cascades and then down, down, down to our campground at Newhalem on the Skaggit River. Phil is a careful driver and we made it to our destination without mishap.

We found our campsite in an old growth forest and set up. Later, we went to the National Park Visitor's Center and got some maps and saw the exhibits. Tomorrow we'll take some short hikes and maybe drive to Marblemount (20 miles) to get gas.Read more