Ross Lake 2009
Page 1
Nestled in the North Cascades is a long man made lake that bridges the little company town of Diablo Washington with the Canadian border. Numerous improved camp sites are cited along the lake with bear lockers, picnic tables and dry commodes. We set out for a week in September of 2009 not only to camp at these beautiful lake side spots but to also use the lake as an easy route into the back country. With Mount Prophet keyed into our GPS and fishing poles at the ready we set out to see what we can see in this vast play ground.
Journal Entry Day 1: We've driven through the wilderness of Seattle, set up a car camp on lower Ross Lake and are getting ready to start our expedition. We have a lot of food (as you can see below).
The weather is beautiful and we take the boats out to collect some drift wood for a campfire. The lake is low so we cross a grassy sand/mud bar to put in but it holds up pretty firm.
Here's a shot looking out under the highway bridge from our arm of the lake.
We are loaded for 8 days in the back country. We're also carrying all the necessary backpack gear to get us 3 or 4 days into the high country. We have a few hundred pounds of gear and food.
Here's our first look at the dam that separates the lower from the upper lake. It's a paid portage of $15 a boat to have your boats and gear taken up the narrow road.
Dave paddles under the pedestrian bridge.
John and all of our gear waiting for the shuttle truck.
Dave enjoying the sun.
a short ride and repacking and we're at the lodge which is essentially right across the lower end of the lake not too far from the dam.
The lodge memorial. The lodge is host to a long standing clientele. They are not necessarily excited to get new customers.
