CASCADIN’

We left Lake Pearrygin and started west on Route 20, into the North Cascades National Park.  This is marked on our AAA map with those little dots that denote “scenic route.”  They got this one right.  One of the prettiest drives we’ve done, even if it did kill our already minuscule gas mileage.  Lots of up and down,

but we really didn’t care.  It was a feast for the eyes.  You start getting peaks through the pines.

Then it opens up as you climb higher.  The following two shots are from the same spot, in opposite directions.

This is mid-October, and there’s been no snowfall as of yet, so all that snow is left over from last winter (or is permanent glacier).  I suspect they get a ton every winter.  In this El Nino year, everyone is saying they’re bracing for big snow.  For now, however, it’s blue skies and great vistas.

This is the southern end of Ross Lake, which winds its way north to across the Canadian border.

A little further on is Diablo Lake, which had a beautiful aqua color due to the type of silt that washed down from the mountains. 

I think the mountain gods saved the best for last.

There wasn’t a sign, but I think this is the aptly named Snowfield Peak, at 8,347 feet.  If not, who cares?  It’s pretty amazing to have that much retained snow.

At the end of our east-to-west traverse was the main ranger station for the area.  Guess you’re supposed to travel the other direction.  It was located well off the main road, reachable only by this little one-lane bridge with traffic lights.

They had some nice displays about the forest, old-growth logging, and such, but we thought the neatest was the ironwork covering the huge fireplace.  I especially like the fish across the fire barrier.  Just what we need for the house.