TR: A Summer in North Cascades National Park

[Soup Nazi]

Now that ski season is over with, I'm spending my summer in the remote mountain community of Stehekin, WA and I thought I'd share a few of my experiences with the mags here at TGR. Anyone who wants to come and visit is welcome to stay at my place. Here is the view from our front porch:




I live right next to the shore of fjord-like Lake Chelan. Here's an image taken from our front lawn about an hour after sunset one night:



Earlier in the season there were mudflats at the northern end of the lake about a mile from my house. The snowmelt was so late that grasses started growing on them, creating a real cool scene whenever the sun was setting.



Here are some seasonal employees hanging out on one of the docks in front of the landing.



We get some pretty amazing sunsets here too:



I'll post some hiking photos later tonight if anyone is interested.

[kevino]

Great photos. You do any rock climbing? I've been wanted to do the NE buttress of goode. I'm sure some of those glaciers still have plenty of turns to be had if you are into that sort of thing...

[Soup Nazi]

Great photos. You do any rock climbing? I've been wanted to do the NE buttress of goode. I'm sure some of those glaciers still have plenty of turns to be had if you are into that sort of thing...

I did some Class 3/4 scrambling this past weekend but I've never been rock climbing. Snow level is around 6000 feet right now so that leaves you plenty of space to make some ski descents. I didn't bring my skis with me so I'll have to wait until December to make some turns.

[Soup Nazi]

Pine marten spotted along the trail to McGregor Mountain.



Posing in front of Booker and Buckner mountains in North Cascades National Park.



Making my way down the couloir towards the summit of McGregor Mountain.



Ridiculous double rainbow spotted over Bridge Creek.



This was along the Devore Creek trail in the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

[Mofro261]

Kind of hard to go anywhere in the N. Cascades right now without hitting snow.

Nice pics.

[kevino]

Soup Nazi-
If you want to tag some summits let me know

Mofro,
Do you live at alpy? I moved up here last month and always try to meet some more neighbors...

[plugboots]

Nice place to be.

[Grape_Ape]

Mr. Soup Nazi:

More, please.

[Zeedashbo]

i'll be up in chelan in two weeks with a boat and enough gas to get up there. we'll have to hook up for a beer.

[Chainsaw_Willie]

Soup Nazi - That's such a sweet place. Are you working up there or is this "summer vacation?"

[cascadianwarrior]

I'm up on the lake nearly every weekend over the summer although I haven't made it beyond Lucerne yet this season. But if it looks like I'll be up that way (or if you're coming down), PM's for sure.

[Soup Nazi]

I'm working as a park ranger in Stehekin and am lucky enough to get three consecutive days off every week, which allows me to do some pretty cool trips. Just this past weekend I went to Holden for the first time. Here is my campsite at Holden Pass:




This was a typical view on the way towards the summit of Martin Peak.



Views at the top were even better. That's Glacier Peak in the background.



These avalanche lilies are quite delicious.



The view down Flat Creek from the Goode Ridge trail.

[Soup Nazi]

i'll be up in chelan in two weeks with a boat and enough gas to get up there. we'll have to hook up for a beer.

If you can come up here on the night of August 6th, there is going to be an epic river party going on. It's an "exclusive", "locals only" party but I can get you in. Lots of dancing on the beach and tons of women going skinny dipping.

[Soup Nazi]

Group of Stehekin seasonal workers at Ten Mile Pass between Holden and Stehekin.



I've lost count of how many bears I've seen this summer.



Self-portrait deep in the backcountry.

[tone capone]

This is awesome.

[Chainsaw_Willie]

I've lost count of how many bears I've seen this summer.

Just based on the shape of the head and the way ears look round-ish in that picture, that sure looks like a grizz. No shoulder hump, but could be because of the way it's posed - front legs uphill. Would be cool to see another pic of that bear with head in profile and nose tilted up more.

Anyway, what a sweet place to spend your summer. I'm envious.

[Schmear]

Good place to be a bear.

[Patarero]

sweet pics gotta make it up there

[zartagen]

Didn't bring your skis? That's crazy. There is entirely too much snow there to not ski. I was hoping for ski pics bc this is in the ski forum. Though it does look beautiful there.

[Soup Nazi]

Didn't bring your skis? That's crazy. There is entirely too much snow there to not ski. I was hoping for ski pics bc this is in the ski forum. Though it does look beautiful there.

Well, I spend about five weeks during the off-season living in my Toyota Highlander and I couldn't justify bringing along skis, boots and poles for what probably would have been about 10,000 vertical feet of skiing. Here are a few photos from a friend of mine who has been able to get in a few runs around here this spring/summer.

Hiking up McGregor Mountain in late May. Those are some old racing skis he's got there.



You can faintly see four mountaineers making their way across the glacier in the lower-right corner of this photo. They are beginning the Ptarmigan Traverse here in North Cascades National Park.

[Mofro261]

^^^
Just a bit of exposure heading to Cache Col.

to help the skiing relatedness, here's some Central Cascade skiing July 30th. Over 4K skiing well worth the other 4K of trail hiking.

[Chugachjed]

Just based on the shape of the head and the way ears look round-ish in that picture, that sure looks like a grizz. No shoulder hump, but could be because of the way it's posed - front legs uphill. Would be cool to see another pic of that bear with head in profile and nose tilted up more.

Without a doubt that is a brown bear/griz little one probably 3 momma just kicked him out.

[Soup Nazi]

Finally I get to post a photo of some ski tracks. This is near the top of Sahale Peak.

[adimmen]

Beautiful in so many regards

[The Duke of Hurl]

Yo Soup! Good to see you heading north for a while. Maybe just head N & E this winter and check out ID/MT/BC/AB and we could make some turns. Great to see you keepin the dream alive.