POST 662: 06/18/12: NORTH CASCADE PASS - NEWHALEM - MARBLEMOUNT, WASHINGTON

Before daybreak, I walked down US 20 mountains from our overnight parking at the Trailhead for the Ross Lake Resort.

Light rain was falling.














Ross Dam.














Reaching Ross Lake outlet river - Skagit River - I walked back up the mountain to fetch SPIA.

Our first leg was down steep terrain ... climbing back up was good for me. Covered about 10 miles altogether.

We then drove further down the mountain to the town of Newhalem, the Maintenance Center for Ross Dam, which provides electricity for the city of Seattle, Washington.











At Newhalem, we again parked SPIA while I again walked down US 20 toward the town of Marblemount, Washington, the Portal to Washington's Alps.





Wildflowers were in bloom along US 20.





Bikers about to climb North Cascade Pass.


























After Newhalem, US 20 flattens out considerably, following the Skagit River.

I turned back to fetch SPIA after 2.5 hours -about 10 miles one way.












We parked SPIA at the SHELL Gas Station, next to this BBQ Drive Up Restaurant.

From here, I again walked West on US 20 for 2.5 hours, stopping for a bowl of Mushroom Soup...walking in the misty rain, that soup was welcome.


Stinging Nettles...do not touch.

US 20 along the Skagit River was profuse with these plants...often reaching out into the driving lane.




Washington is becoming a world renowned Wine State.


No, I did not stop for a taste...


Did not stop here either.





Returning to Marblemount, Washington, we drove SPIA part way to Rockport, 8 miles distant, where we stopped for the night in a roadside parking area.

VERIZON finally gave out with the signals we missed while crossing the North Cascade Pass.

After posting updates to this blog for our North Cascade Pass crossing, slept during the night's pouring rain - it is still raining at 6:45 am this morning (Tuesday, 06/19/12).

As we have ample time to complete the remaining miles to the Peace Arch, will take it easy the next few days.

Walking, I find, is much like taking a trip with the Sailboat...arrival at our destination is bittersweet...the "getting there" is what it is really about.

In any event, should reach Sedro Woolley by this evening.