Did some outside things over the weekend (photo heavy)

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
07/31/2019 at 11:00 • Filed to: None

Had a three day weekend, so the girlfriend and I drove up past Seattle on Thursday night and camped at Larrabee state park. Which closes it’s gates at 10. We pulled in at 9:40. Someone had stolen the campsite I paid too much to reserve. The camp hosts were asleep, so they couldn’t help. Luckily there was another open spot, so we just took that instead.

Friday we continued our drive and headed to North Cascades National Park, where we stopped at about 5 different campgrounds before finally finding an open spot. I recommend planning this trip far enough ahead to reserve spots if you want to camp here. But it worked out, our spot was awesome! Very low traffic area, only a few other spots nearby, and right in the middle of everything we planned on seeing.

After camp was setup, we headed out for our first hike of the weekend. Maple Pass Loop. 9ish miles and 2100 feet of elevation change. Beautiful views of alpine lakes and meadows. Glaciated peaks all around. Waterfalls.

After that, we were hungry. And realized we were actually pretty close to a brewpub we had found on the map. We had expected it to be too far away, but it was only 30-40 minutes so we went for it. The Old Schoolhouse Brewery. Which, as you can probably imagine, is actually in an old Schoolhouse. You know, the picturesque old west frontier style ones.

That’s how we discovered Winthrop, WA. Which is a neat little town in the middle of nowhere just bursting with late 1800's style. Wooden sidewalks, hundred-plus year old buildings. A river running right through the middle of everything. Then there was the brewpub. Packed. Live music, outdoor seating right next to the river, and the food was amazing. Highly recommend.

But if you do find yourselves in the area, watch for deer on the road. There are bazillions of them. Drive slowly.

Because PNW, Saturday morning was raining. We were a little slow to get started. But we finally made our way to Cascade Pass trail. Which, we learned when we got there, that it’s been used by humans for 7500 years! The hike was foggy and misty the whole way, a similar distance and elevation as the previous day. But absolutely gorgeous still. The fog made the mountains seem impossibly, infinitely tall. More glaciers and flowers and waterfalls. Some people out backpacking and ice climbing. Real popular trail, but for good reason.

After that, and a nap, we headed back to Winthrop and played a round of mini golf, and ate at the schoolhouse again because it was just that good.

Sunday we headed west, out of the park, but into Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and on to Anderson/Watson Lakes trail.

Great trail for beginner backpacking due to lots of open meadows and offshoot trails. Though it was surprisingly steep and strenuous. There was never a flat stretch of trail. But again, worth it. Three Alpine lakes. And on the way back, we took one of the offshoots and climbed Anderson Butte. Even steeper yet. But worth it, with sweeping views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan.

Sunday ended up being another 9ish miles but over 2500 feet of elevation change, for a grand total of about 27 miles and 7000 feet of elevation change. My legs are still sore!

Takeaway: the drives to the trailheads were nearly as breathtaking as the views from the hikes themselves. Great driving roads, great forest service roads if you have a little ground clearance (crossovers are plenty for most of this). I do badly wished I had the Africa Twin for this trip, but it just would’ve been too much gear to carry for two people. So I’ll probably take it out for something similar this next weekend by myself. Really looking forward to that.

DISCUSSION (15)

kanadanmajava1 > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/31/2019 at 11:13

Thanks ! Nice pictures indeed.

AestheticsInMotion > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/31/2019 at 11:16

Gorgeous pictures. That first trail has been on my list for awhile.

If you come up again try either the old trail at mailbox peak, or Paradise at Mt Rainier. The first is a treacherously steep uphill slog regarded as one of Seattle’s most brutal short hikes, and the second is an mellow but long hike through gorgeous terrain up to the base camp where serious mountaineers set up to tackle the summit.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AestheticsInMotion
07/31/2019 at 11:26

Worth it!

We’re planning a similar weekend at Ranier around labor day. One of the girlfriend's friends is getting married in Onalaska that weekend, so well already be nearby. Definitely put that one on the list!

DutchieDC2R > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/31/2019 at 11:33

Ive only started semi-serious hiking a year ago, your pictures make me miss it. Very beautiful scenery.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > DutchieDC2R
07/31/2019 at 12:06

To be honest I'd rather bike than hike. But the girlfriend loves hiking, and you can't get to tops of mountains on bikes. But it's definitely worth making time for!

slipperysallylikespenguins > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/31/2019 at 12:16

Camping in Washington can be a real pain in the ass. Just not enough sites to go around in the summer.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/31/2019 at 12:19

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

DutchieDC2R > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/31/2019 at 12:19

Ive never really been a fan of biking, not MTB nor regular city biking (and Im Dutch, lol). I used to own a MTB when I was 12. The first time I went down a hill, I got panicked because of the speed I had gained while holding the rear brake, slightly touched the front brake and did roll , head first. No injuries, but I don’t think I ever touched my MTB after that.

A co-worker of mine is trying to get me on an MTB again though. He did a small biking tour through Scotland and tried to get me to tag along, but my stamina is so, so bad that I passed rhe op portunity.

I should really pick it up though.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/31/2019 at 12:54

I’ve gotta get back to the PNW and do some camping/hiking like this. As much as I love farting around with cars and hanging out with random internet strangers, I do feel like I missed out on some of the really cool nature stuff having taken two trips up there now. Next trip I will definitely go exploring parks like this and bring all of my camping gear , some lovely pictures you’ve got there.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > DutchieDC2R
07/31/2019 at 13:22

Bikes have come so far in the last ten years, I doubt you would have the same issue. Definitely give it a shot!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/31/2019 at 13:23

I’m sure some of us would be happy to join or help guide you to cool shit!

Future Heap Owner > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/31/2019 at 18:23

I loooove the North Cascades. Alps, schmalps. I’m hoping to do a 5-7 day backpacking trip through them next summer (most likely in Mt Baker - Snoqualmie NF because you can’t bring dogs in North Cascades NP).

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Future Heap Owner
08/01/2019 at 09:25

That would be fun! Don't forget the bear spray!

Future Heap Owner > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/01/2019 at 10:53

Naw, I wouldn’t take bear spray. I’m not that concerned about black bears.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Future Heap Owner
08/01/2019 at 14:18

Sure. I carry it for cougars too though. I know if one wanted to eat me, I probably wouldn't even know until his teeth were in me, but it makes me feel better.