Mountains and mountains all around
The North Cascades Range Upclose
On our third day, we drove from Randle to Seattle. We were to meet up with our friends (Vijay and Pragya) who were our hosts and planners for the rest of the trip. When VJ said we would be spending the day driving along North Cascades Scenic Highway (Route 20) I was thrilled. I had read about this scenic drive but had thought that because of a packed trip we would not be able to do it. So off we went to mountains.
The Diablo Lake
As we drove along, the sheer beauty and grandeur of the mountain range amazed me. Unlike Rainier and Helens which were lone mountains, this was a complete range of mountain after mountain. We were surrounded by these very steep mountains, beautiful lakes, numerous waterfalls (since the snow was just beginning to melt) and deep valleys. We drove (actually VJ drove) on and on, as we just looked around. We made occassional stops to look around, rest, hike a bit, but mostly to breathe in the scenery.
Another view of the mountains
We finally decided to turn back after we knew that it would take us the better part of rest of the day to drive back. We stopped at Diablo lake overlook and the Gorge Creek Waterfall. We took one of the short hikes with VJ telling us stories about bears and scaring us. And finally we drove out of the National Park with a final look at the mountains.
The jagged peaksI am sure Yellowstone National Park is good ( it is still on my list of places to visit) but I was beginning to like the decision of travelling to Seattle and the surrounding National Parks instead.
Gorge Creek Falls
Comments
I haven't been to the Himalayas. But every time I read one of your posts I want to go there. The thing is I am in US presently and mostly we travel to India during the winter when it co-incides with the Xmas break here. And then the Himalayas are pretty snowed in. But someday I hope to do it.
what camera do you use??
I like that picture too.
I use a simple point and shoot Canon S45 - its 4 years old so might not be on the market anymore. 4 mega pixels and pretty compact - serves the purpose.
Thanks for visiting.
Now thats a thought. I have thought on similar lines, though unlike you, I have always dreamed of moving my living room close to these places. That way I can enjoy more than one of these places of beauty.
Anil,
We didn't come across much birdlife - it was too cold. But on one of the other ranges in the area, we did spot some mountain turkey, blue fowl, some gulls etc. Among wildlife, we saw deer and there were signs that there are bears around too. These places are actually known for their wildflowers - many kinds of orchids, lilies and other wildflowers can be spotted here.