Northwest Passage Part 2: North Cascades National Park

Sunday 11th 2011

After a roadside breakfast at some rabbit-themed restaurant (I had the "eggs bunnydict" omg rofl) we entered north cascades national park. 

tree big

Got our campsite, 

full disclosure: i edited this photo. the real-life scene was in color.

then to the vis center for trail recommendations. 

We go to hike Sourdough mountain. The trail guide lists it as "very strenuous". This was the toughest dayhike I've ever done. 10 miles roundtrip, and 4,000 feet of elevation gained in the first 3.5 miles. 

And add to that the fact that we cant really rest, because there are so many biting flies and mosquitos that during any pause they would swarm like crazy. But the views at the top were spectacular. A panorama of snowy peaks, huge waterfalls and eerily-green lakes. I thought the hike would kill me but it was worth it. 

take that, sourdough.

Monday 12th

Today we did the "tourist" version of the park. We drove to a lookout, got out of the car, snapped a few pics, got back in the car, repeat. It was easy as there is only one road that traverses the middle of the park.

green water. yeah, weird.

Then a long drive across the northern dye of Washington, a ferry ride across to port Townsend, and check in at the motel in port Angeles.