North Cascades Road Trip

 

Autumnal air and fall foliage on the Pilchuck.
Vine Maple turns as wild cucumber fades to pale yellow.

The official end of summer has come and gone, it is now past Labor Day.

I suggest we take a road trip up north, cut east along the Skagit River into its source in the Cascades. After Labor Day I figure the crowds have thinned down and we'll have North Cascades National Park all to ourselves. I am not always right, and this day is one of them. All The trailhead parking was in overflow on this mild Thursday. Thousands of people had the same idea that I did. Oh well, I guess we'll have to share the view.

Liberty Bell at Washington Pass,
North Cascades Scenic Highway

As I close the gate behind us, we have not decided exactly what we are going to do with our day. We could drive up to the crest of the Cascades, descend into Eastern Washington, have lunch and return over the route on which we had just traveled. Or, maybe, we could make a big loop and come back over Stephen's Pass on Highway 2. We decide that we will decide later.

We pull over at Gorge Creek and walk across the bridge spanning a 300' deep crevasse, looking down between our toes through the steel grate at the creek and rocks far below. It's a unique view, Sue says, "I'm glad I'm not afraid of heights."

Gorge Creek far below my toes

We drive over the mountains as the highway winds nestled between tall conifers, obscuring most of the mountain peaks from me as I keep my eyes on the curves. Passenger Sue marvels at brief glimpses of some rocky peaks. 

The North Cascades are touted as 'The American Alps,' though I remark as we drive that this does not really live up to the hype. "I don't think these mountains are all that 'alpiny' (if that's a word). The Alps have broad U-shaped glacial valleys, towering, barren peaks like the Matterhorn. I just don't see that landscape here. A nice place, but not a lot of destination-worthy places like Yosemite, Sequoia Redwoods or even Glacier National Park.

My one hope for a redeeming view is Washington Pass up ahead. I pull off Highway 20 into the Washington Pass Scenic Viewing Area. We are not disappointed. It is a day where the clouds have lifted, a bit hazy from proximal forest fires, but the granitic spires are out in full view.

Huckleberries along the trail give us a
showy fall foliage display.

We stand on a glacially polished platform high above the head of the Methow River Valley, admire the view and debate the geologic structures and possible mineral composition of the rocks before us. We're such excitable nerds on holiday. It's a great day to go stand on some big rocks.

We drop over the pass and follow the Methow River into Twisp. We find a picnic table at the city park alongside the river and eat PB&J and some clementine oranges from the rucksack. We consult the paper road atlas (still don't fully trust nor like using digital navigation apps). We opt to make the big loop.

We leave Twisp, headed toward Wenatchee. A stop at Costco for refueling and then we drive beside numerous apple and fruit orchards. I announce, "It's been a grand day! Let me take you out to dinner in Bavaria." 

The pedestrian street lined with Bavarian shops and eateries,
all in Leavenworth, Washington.

We find a rare parking place in Leavenworth, a town given over completely to Bavarian architecture and Bavarian themed tourist shops and restaurants. It is a tourist destination, replete with a handful of Asian couples coming to America to experience a getaway in the German Alps. Only in America!

Its schnitzel for our supper at Baren Haus

Leavenworth, Washington USA. 
The town is a tourist destination for those looking for 
a Bavarian Alpine experience.

Earlier I had remarked that the North Cascades did not resemble, nor deserve the nickname, 'The American Alps,' but now I realized; The American Alps theme must have originated from Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce. Brilliant!

Tell people this area is the American Alps and then build a town and an entire commercial structure to support the Alpine theme. And you know what? It actually works. Leavenworth is a thriving Bavarian town that sells more than its fair share of beer, schnitzel, sausage and cabbage rolls along with nutcrackers, Christmas decorations and T-shirts. Genius.  

Berry Last Blast of the Season

"Let's go berry pickin' this morning," she said with a sense of urgency and a note of hopeful glee. 

I agreed.

Harvesting black berries
on the road to the old house on our back 40 parcel

September 3rd and the black berries are already past their prime. Many are withered, some have caught the mold, others are ripe enough to fall from the cane with the slightest of jiggles.

We agreed that the berries are fading fast, though it seems like we'd just begun getting some nice sweet and juicy berries. They come on quick and fade with equal ferocity. This season Sue has gathered enough black berries for 1 pie, 4 cobblers, 1 quart jar of preserves and 1 bowl of black berry jelly. 

We've had the pleasure to share the treasures of our fields with Sue's brother Tom and his wife Esther and our friends from Texas, Dave and Teri.

Final black berry harvest of the 2026 season,
we gathered about 4.5 quarts today.

***

Bonus Quiz: Which berry would you eat from this bowl and which berry is a poisonous snow berry?

Remember the wild foraging berry rule:

Blue always

Red sometimes

White never.

Be sure to separate your black berries from your white berries
or you will regret your cobbler

The last fresh black berry cobbler of the season will soon be served - but hurry, it won't last long!








 

Backyard Barred Owl

Is it an omen when you are visited by an owl?

Some believe it to be so. 

Barred Owl (Strix varia)

A large Barred Owl came to roost in some dead alder sapling outside our bedroom window one August morning.

We heard nothing. It is said that if this owl chooses to speak, it will ask, "Whoo cooks for you?"

He sat there silent. If he had a message, if it was an omen, it seemed to be one of majesty and quiet beauty, granting us a privilege to stand in awe and in wonder of what surrounds us. Things seen and unseen have graced our lives. 

A Tranquill Visit to the Edge of the Continent

 With family visiting from from the Upper Midwest, we chose to spend a day at the edge of the North American Continent, a day at Rosario Beach State Park.

The legend of the Indian maiden who married the King of the Sea
so as to assure the provisions and bounty of the sea to her people.

We walked along the cliff top headlands, sat on drift logs piled on the gravelly shore and took in the scent of salt water, the shift in the low clouds and the thrum of the tide upon the land.

Sue, Esther and Tom overlooking the kelp beds and the Strait of Juan de Fuca
Rosario Beach State Park

Deception Island

A Tranquill Visit to Roaring North Sauk Falls

In August were welcomed family visiting from Minnesota, Sue's brother Tom and his wife Esther. Here on The Pilchuck we have options; do you like mountains or prefer the beach? Here, one does not have to choose. We got them both.

One morning we decided it was a 'mountain day'. We drove up the road to Darrington, took the mountain Loop Highway (a dirt road) to stroll to the edge of the precipice and admire North Sauk Falls.

Tom stands beyond the edge of the precipice
ready to capture the roar of North Sauk Falls

Tom and I scrambled down the steep slope over angular rocks and protruding tree roots handy for handholds on the way over the edge. The view from within the clouds of mist were worth it. 

I think that some warm summer day, when the sun's rays break the shadows of the surrounding conifers and catch the tumultuous mist rising from the blue green pool and its light gets shattered into rainbows dancing within this rocky cauldron, that I might come here at let my thoughts flow over the edge and wash away. I think on that day I too will rise from the rocky cauldron and be renewed and refreshed for having bathed in a rainbow.

 

County Fair

Sue Berry Blue at the Stanwood-Camano County Fair

We went to the County Fair, the kids and beasts were there.

Just a few miles down the road is a happening. The annual Stanwood-Camano County Fair. We wandered the exhibit hall, toured the 4H and FFA animal stalls to see the cows, goats, pigs, rabbits and chickens. We petted some of them, and cheered on the earnest farm kids with their animal projects as the combed their auburn hair getting them ready for show and competition.

We rested in the shade of the Viking Stage grandstands with a troupe of square dancers. They were beyond friendly and thought that we were a nice spry older couple, just the right kinda folks to be square dancers. We demurred. 

They took the stage, danced the hoochi-coo and then it was time for 'audience participation' where they come out and target people resting in the shade to come on stage a swing their pardner. We took our leave as they were headed straight for us.

Once the dancers were gone, we returned to watch the juggling act and listen to awful puns and bad jokes.

We checked out the information booths and bought a cold icee drink before we went into town and had lunch at a Mediterranean cafe.

Next year, Sue will enter her fabulous pecan pie and when cash prizes.

It was a fair day. 

Kids chasing bubbles at the edge of the midway.

Show Goat

 

High Sierra Trek to Winnemucca Lake

Trailhead for our 6 mile trek to Winnemucca Lake

 There were many options for Day 5 at the Wilkin Reunion. Norman has listed a description of trails around the area, we chose a 6 mile roundtrip, moderate trail through high Sierra meadows, glaciated granitic boulders with my purpose to make it to Winnemucca Lake (and back). But once there, my objective was to eat green grapes at Winnemucca Lake. Let's go!

A migrating California Tortoise Shell butterfly
pausing to collect minerals on the shore of
Frog Lake.

It was a 40 minute drive to Carson Pass, the trailhead for our hike, which coincided with the famous Pacific Crest Trail that arduous 'through-hikers' walk from the Mexican border to the Canadian border.

Once we set one foot in front of the other on our trail, we were amazed to be in the migratory path of thousands upon thousands of California Tortoise Shell butterflies who ripped past us a great speed, heading south.

As flatlanders, we took it at our own easy pace. Stopping to examine the mineralogy of the granitic boulders on our mountain trail.

Mark on the PCT

We exchange observation with a birding couple packing in for one night

Vista across a high Sierra meadow

Indian Paintbrush blooms between granite slabs

High Sierra mountain meadow

We climbed to Winnemucca Lake, elevation 8,980 feet. We gained about 500' in 2.5 miles. I was pleased that an often sedentary 68 year old still had the lungs and legs to do this trek. Victory!

Wife at Winnemucca Lake

My goal for the day: Eat green grapes at Winnemucca Lake.

Green grape at the ready.

Set.

Go!

Mission accomplished!

Enjoy the journey.

***

Sue and I meet up with Maz, a PCT hiker who has done 400 miles.

We were almost back to the parking lot at Carson Pass Trailhead, when we met Maz, a hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail. He is planning on completing the whole PCT in sections, having already walked 400 miles through California when we met Maz.

He asked us if per chance, we might be heading toward South Lake Tahoe. I told him we were indeed planning to go that direction.

He asked, somewhat tentatively, if he could hitch a ride into town with us.

My mom always told me that if you stop and pick up hitchhikers, you never know what these strangers will do to you. So I told him, "yes, we'd be glad to give him a lift." 

He was so relieved, he had never asked for a ride before and was glad it turned out to be this easy. Maz is from Seattle and teaches computer programming at a Preparatory School. 

Maz had reservations a PCT Hiker's Hostel near the Nevada State Line. I told him we'd deliver him to his targeted doorstep.

He asked what our plans were for the day. I told him we'd just hiked 6 miles and I thought we earned a reward. I had some ice cream concoction in mind. I said, "My six miles to your 400 miles, I'll be happy to treat you too."

We found the creatively named, Lakeview Creamery in town and I ordered a root beer float. Maz ordered a double scoop waffle cone and insisted he pay for all three of us. I accepted.

Just like mom always said, "If you stop and pick up a strange, smelly hitchhiker, you never know what they'll do to you."

Mom was right, our PCT hitchhiker bought us ice cream. You just never know.

Enjoy the journey.