|
Fortunately the
snow and sleet that we encountered on the hike up to Easy Pass subsided by
the time we reached the top, revealing views of the valley below.
|
The view from Easy Pass
in North Cascades was reminiscent of the Canadian Rockies during our hikes in
Banff National Park in 2002.
|
Columbine was
one of the most delicate looking wildflowers that we saw along the Sourdough
Mountain Trail in North Cascades.
|
|
The view from
the top of Sourdough Mountain overlooking Diablo Lake,
although slightly obstructed by the clouds, was still worth the climb.
|
We weren't the
only ones crazy enough to be hiking in this weather and hoping for a view -
the one other person was also kind enough to take a photo of the two of us.
|
After
descending Sourdough Mountain, we took a walk across Diablo Dam which
produces electricity for Seattle.
|
|
The massive
size of Diablo Dam is quite impressive from this viewpoint, 389 feet high, it was the tallest dam in the world at the time of
its construction in 1930.
|
Although Cascade Pass is the most popular area in the
park, it is also the least accessible - the Sahale Arm trailhead was at the
end of a long, narrow, twisting, gravel road - but the never ending views
certainly compensated.
|
We chose the
perfect day for this hike - in addition to great weather, it was also the day
after Labor Day, so the weekend and holiday crowds had disappeared.
|
