Lake Diablo Camping and Kayaking

Every summer it is fun to try to do a campout with my mom and aunts and uncles. This year our spur-of-the-moment trip led us to Lake Diablo, the incredibly turquoise blue lake off of the North Cascades Highway. We left after dinner on Monday figuring we'd be after traffic (we mostly were) and we'd easily find a camp spot on a Monday night (not even close). We arrived at our chosen campsite at 9:30 (road construction delays) and everything was full. We circled a few times just to make sure - they other campground took reservations and many spots were unoccupied but "reserved," which was incredibly frustrating. We had to double back almost 20 minutes before we found a single last spot (the handicap campsite which is open to anyone after 8:00 pm) and didn't get into the tent until 10:30. Good grief! Lesson learned - arrive early in the morning as campers are leaving to get a spot in a "first come" campground in a national park! At least Reed handled the drive well...

 

After getting up early on Tuesday morning to break camp, we were able to secure this lovely campsite at our desired campground just as the group who'd been here before was pulling out. Phew! We brought the kids' bikes this time and they LOVED having them - they probably road about 100 laps around the campground loop. That was really cool!

 We set up camp and then drove another 30 minutes east to the Lake Ann trailhead for a 4 mile (told the kids it was shorter than that so they wouldn't complain) hike to Lake Ann and back. The hike really was do-able for them, especially since they didn't have big backpacks. The wildflowers in the meadows were incredible.

 We had lunch at the lake next to a couple who was touring the national parks of our country by RV about 1/8 of the country per summer and then leaving the RV in a spot for the winter. It was a cool plan and I'm intrigued by it. The kids, meanwhile, just enjoyed their peanut butter sandwiches and watching the cut throat trout jump.

 Ah - beautiful alpine scenery everywhere you look!

 We journeyed a few more miles east to Washington Pass and awe inspiring views of the mountains and valleys that converge here.

 Finally, back at the site for a late afternoon swim in Lake Diablo and Nana's arrival.

 Stream engineering is always interesting.

 I got up early Wednesday morning and hiked Thunder Knob, whose trailhead went right behind our site. I loved the views of the lake and being able to see small boats on the water below and glacier-covered mountains up above.

 Plus, chipmunks do make great company at the top.

 

Floyd and Kathie joined us for lunch and a big kayak expedition to the southern end of Lake Diablo. We launched from just behind our campsite, went under the Highway 20 bridge, and to the creek at the end of the lake.

 The sand and silt deposits from the creek in the delta made for good exploring.

 The intrepid kayakers and their craft....

 Floyd and Kathie had to head back that night, but we were able to stay one more night. On Thursday morning, after packing up camp, we checked out a viewpoint of the lake off the highway (way better view than from my hike - oh well!).

 

We also did a little hike to Happy Creek which was a cool oasis on a very hot morning (90 degrees in the mountains before noon).

 The boys stayed with Nana in the shade while Charlotte and I forged our way all the way down to the Ross Lake Dam.

 The outflow of this dam goes into Lake Diablo. There are three dams on this section of the Skagit River and they provide a lot of hydro-power for Seattle.

 We didn't see any bears on our trip, but did come across this one in the visitor center on our way out. It was a great camping trip and the kids loved spending the time with Nana and sleeping in her camper!