Well we returned from the wild! Kaleb and I had an awesome time in the wilderness together. The North Cascades National Park is the closest thing that I have experienced to the great Alaskan wilderness. It is absolutely amazing! The fingerprints of God surround you in these mountains. The North Cascades contains some of America's most beautiful mountain scenery - high jagged peaks, ridges, slopes, and countless cascading waterfalls (as the name of the Park suggests). There are glaciers and snowfields that remain year-round. Few roads lead into the park and most of the scenery is only seen by hikers along the trail.
We began our journey off the North Cascades Highway along Washington State Highway 20 at Rainy Pass. The first day we hiked around 4 miles camping at a place called Fireweed Camp. It had a refreshing creek running right along the campground. The next day we hiked another 5 miles uphill to McAlester Lake. It is a beautiful alpine lake around 6000 feet in elevation. It was refreshing to wash up in this mountain lake. The final day of hiking was a 12 mile hike almost all downhill. We went from 6000 feet down to 1400 feet to the little mountain community of Stehekin. I never thought going downhill would be such a challenge, but carrying a 50 pound or so backpack downhill all day was a tremendous stain on my knees. But with the help of my strong son Kaleb I managed to make it all the way. It was completely worth it!
After we arrived in Stehekin we remained there for 2 nights staying at a campground along the Stehekin river where the Kokanee salmon were swimming upstream by the thousands to spawn. The salmon were almost so dense that you could step out walk on them. They were a bright red in color and extremely beautiful.
One of the highlights of Stehekin is the famous bakery. It is called the Stehekin Pastry Company and after 4 days of food around the campfire it was a welcome haven. We had fresh cinnamon
roles and egg sandwiches made with fresh homemade bread. The men were satisfied!!!The biggest highlight was enjoying this with my oldest son Kaleb. It is a memory that we will never forget!
5 comments:
I need a defibrillator just looking at those pictures. Talk about getting your clicks in. But the cinnamon rolls sound good. Glad you made it back. I was just about to come looking for you.
Thanks Troy for sharing the pictures and the recap of your trip. It sounds like an awesome memory and I am so glad that you took the time and went with Kaleb. Kenny would like the cinnamon rolls - what about the egg sandwich? I don't know that he would have made it on the trip without getting a little in shape for it first - me either.
Love,
Mom
What great pictures! I am so proud of you and Kaleb for accomplishing that hike. What an experience for both or you. I too am very glad that Kenny was not there...you would have had more then 50lbs. to carry back!!! HA Just kidding Kenny.
I am sure you family was glad to have you return. Love you big brother
Tami
Thanks Troy and Kaleb for sharing your pics and your memories that you will cherish of your trip together. What beautiful country but a lot of hiking but glad you went but also glad you made it back safe and sound.
Sounds like you had a lot of fun!!! I miss you:)
-Destiny
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