After having such an amazing time at Diablo lake a few weeks ago, we decided to head back with the kayaks. The goal was to pre-position the kayaks at the head of the lake, drive to the other end of the lake, hike to the kayak, and then kayak back down the lake to the car. It was a big trip, but we were excited.
2022-04-01
The first order of business was to drive up to the North Cascades. We left late on Friday so we stopped of in our standard rockport for dinner at the brewery there. This is a really fun place, and Sara played and played on the chaulkboards and markerboards they had on the walls.
We stayed just outside Newhalem in the still free campsites there (free during the off seaon). Beautiful campsite right near the river.
2022-04-02
The next day we had an early breakfast and started our first expedition of the day - dropping off the kayaks. We had a new table for cooking on and it worked perfectly for this trip.
Then we were off - the short morning hike was just down to the lake and back to drop off the kayaks. Despite the short distance, hiking with that massive kayak on my back was no joke!
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It is a beautiful lake and we were both very excited to see the water at the bottom of the hill - me to get the kayaks off and Sara to play! There was a small ramp and a little dock float and we left the kayaks in the rocks nearby.
After the drop-off, we made the steap uphill - but much lighter - trip back to the car and drove around to the start of the hike. This was going to be a big trip this time- 5 mile hike out to the kayaks and then another 4 miles on the water to get back to the van.
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The hike out was beautiful (as it was when we did it a few weeks prior) and we were graced with a whole herd of deer wondering along the trail on the way. Sara was very excited!
We arrived at the bridge and headed over to where we left the kayaks - which had not been disturbed. It was a bit of a production getting everything situated on this dock and then dropping the kayak in the water, but after half an hour or so we were all set.
I brought along the famous Sara paddle (a fly swatter) and she was paddling away happily for the first 15 min or so before she lost the plot and got distracted by everything going on around her - This lake is amazingly pretty. Big snow covered mountains popping right up out of the lake…
I did a bit of naration as we stared down the narrow channel from the Ross Lake Dam down to the main part of Diablo lake.
Sara drifted off for a quick nap after a bit - it’s very calming to get paddled slowly down a lake. Thankfully the life jacket combined with the stability of the inflatable kayak made for an easy/calm bed for the little lady. Thankfully, she got a chance to see some of the amazing beauty before she drifted off.
Before too long, we made it back to the beach where we parked the van. We were staying the night at the nearby campsite, and without far to go we played on the beach for a bit. First, Sara made her very sparce fort.
Then we took a pass at some rock skipping. She really doesn’t have the technique down, so this turned into rock throwing more than anything else.
Our campsite for the evening was right on the river - which did make it a bit colder, but worth it for the views. We were both very tired, but accomplished!
And back to Seattle the next morning - until next time North Cascades!