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NW 2014

pat walsh

pat walsh

Junior Ranger
Has anyone camped at Newhalem Creek Campground
North Cascades National Park - State Route 20 or near there?

So far we have 3 KOA overnights 3 nights on the Columbia Gorge, 3 at Deception Pass, 4 at Salt Creek Olympic Pennisula then want to drive up to the cascade area back to the Gorge before dropping south to the Oregon coast.
 
Washington Park out near the Ferry Dock at Anacortes is beautiful. Lots of hiking trails. A beautiful little beach for picking up rocks and great views along the loop road. Camping area is very shady with lots of trees.
 
Nice campground, but Baker Lake is closer and equally as nice. Plus there are more hiking trails and a small general nearby.
 
Pat and Joe thanks will check these out. Its only Mid March and I have till Mid June when we depart so doing a lot of sleuthing on line. In a way it is the start of the trip! Fun!
 
Hi Pat,

Yes - Linda and I spent two nights there (Newhalem) last fall and it was beautiful - well maintained - I didn't look at the group site... should have... sorry.

Drove up to the pass and did some hiking and fly fishing at a couple of lakes... great weekend.

Dave K
 
Dave and Linda thanks for the info. I made reservations in Newhalem but have not gotten a confirmation. We will be there the end of June. It is a little hard planning as AAA and Google will not let me route through the pass. I guess because it is closed right now. Also waiting on confirmation from Salt Creek. From Salt Creek we will go to Birch Bay then to Newhalem, Wanatcee and then back to Timberlake in Home Valley and there await the passing of the 4th (dog goes crazy and this is a quiet campground) then head for the Oregon coast.
 
The reason why AAA may be hedging on the pass: Pass report It should be good by June. When driving through the pass, you might want to check Colonial Creek campground. No reservations, but the setting cannot be beat. Newhalem is hemmed in by a canyon and has lot trees. It is very pleasant, but not a lot of scenic views. The community at Newhalem is interesting. One place to make sure you reserve the time for a visit to is the North Cascades Institute. The road to it is across one of the dams. It also is an interesting place.
 
I will look up the campground you mentioned. I have been trying to make reservations per recommendations of folks in WA. But that campground sounds more like what we would want. I have read a bit on the web about the institute and if I can negotiate it on my scooter we will sure do it.
 
Nice site on the pass and the campground looks good. Other than keeping a clean camp site any thoughts about bears. We cannot hike so mostly driving and sitting around campsite.
 
I would not worry too much about bears unless you are hiking. It is debatable if Washington State ever had a Grizzly bear population during historical times. If they exist, they would be up in the north part of the state, but more likely further east. Black bears are thick, but I have only seen them occasionally on the trail. I do not think they have become habituated to humans. If you have limited mobility you may not get a good look at Ross lake but Diablo lake will compensate for that. Just an amazing site and the color of the lake is incredible. BTW, the Institute is well funded; it has many nice paved walkways. There are some stairs, but I think they can easily be avoided. We like to hang out in the library.
 
Thanks we are getting pretty excited about our trip. But winter just will not let go in Minnesota 40 today but then down to the 20's for next week.
 
Pat,

Here is a crazy thought... if you go from Salt Creek - you could take a ferry to Victoria BC and visit Buchart Gardens near Sidney - then take the Ferry from Syndey back to Anacortes and Deception Pass. You could even stop in Friday Harbor San Juan Island on the way back for a short visit - nice island, nice town.

Dave K
 
Dave and Linda that does sound exciting but we have vacationed all over Canada many times over 30 years. I have a nephew In Victoria and lots more Canadian relatives in Winnipeg. We have been as far north as Churchill and as Far East as Newfoundland. So now we are concentrating on the USA.
 
wanting a place near the coast between Cape Perpetua and Harris any body have some thoughts?
So far 3 KOA's to get to the Columbia George Timberlake, Deception Pass, Salt Creek, Birch Bay, Colonial Creek, Wanatchee, Timberlake, Fort Steven, Cape Lookout, Cape Perpetua.
 
Ahhhh... Cape Perpetua....
Just north of the Sand Dunes...
Google Map

Not a clue.. heheh, Sarah's blog might give some insight. She would be the expert, IMNSHO, for that area...
"Take it away Saraaaaah...!"
 
I am guessing you are talking about Harris Brach SP in Brookings, right?

Why not stay at Cape Perpetua. No showers, but the toilets are flushies and accessible. Nice little canyon off the main highway, right on a creek. You are also protected from any weather. Love Yachats too (if you want to sound like a local, it is pronounced yah-hots).

http://havekidwillteardrop.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/cape-perpetua-campground-yachats/

You could also have a look at Carter Lake just south of Florence. When we pulled in 2 years ago it was fairly empty with no hosts, which I wasn't keen on being alone with my 4 year old. We moved back up to Cape Perpetua, but if I had another adult with me, I would have been fine. Mosquitos were a bit thick in June when we were there, as it does sit on the banks of the lake. Pretty place. Can get popular and crowded on weekends and in summer. You will need a reservation on those days.

http://havekidwillteardrop.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/carter-lake-florence/

A little further south is one of my favorite State Parks on the Coast. Sunset Bay in Coos Bay/North Bend is a gorgeous, neat little state park. They have a Botanical Garden just down the road as well (which you get in for free camping in the campground) and the gorgeous Cape Arago. There is good clamming there too (I was told...we didn't take part). This is easily one of my favorite camp grounds. The bathrooms were older but clean. Can't remember about accessibility. I felt really really safe here. Will go back at some point.
http://havekidwillteardrop.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/sunset-bay-state-park-north-bendcoos-bay/

Those would be my top three. Links for the state sights/reservations are in those links as well.

Let me know if you have other questions.
 
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Frank and Sarah yes I was not clear that we are staying 2 nights at Cape Perpetua.

Sarah thanks for the suggestions I will check them out.
 
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