Back to North Cascades NP and Hike to Blue Lake

Yesterday we traveled back to North Cascades National Park, took Route 20 from Burlington headed eastbound into the mountains.  Pretty ride.  We stopped at the Visitors Center to get Donna her life-time pass, get information on hikes to do that she would like and off we went.

I love the fake snow on top of this sign

Picket Mountains - no trails are in this portion of the Cascades

Still a pretty view of Liberty Bell and Washington Pass

We wanted to show her the Washington Pass and Liberty Bell Mountain, we were amazed that very little snow is left, but still patchy areas quite visible.  Most of the glaciers in this park is north nearer to Mt. Baker and on into Canada, but there was enough snow/glaciers to make the views very appealing.

Blue Lake is right behind Liberty Bell

From there we headed back westbound, and stopped at the Blue Lake trailhead, a hike we wanted to do weeks ago but did not get around to it.  When we looked at the trail information as to elevation gain, type of footing (rocks, roots, natural) and talked with a couple of people, I decided not to take the hike.  Thought it would not be good for my foot.  Dave and Donna put on their boots and bug spray and off they went.

Donna walking along the trail

Donna admiring Blue Lake

By looking at their pictures, looked to be a beautiful alpine lake.  After the walk Dave said he was glad that I did not go, that I would have been in trouble quite early on.  I did talk with a couple who started out on the hike after Dave and Donna did and returned fairly quickly.  I asked them how was the hike and she said she fell 2 times and they gave up.

When we were at the Visitors Center, Donna asked the ranger time to do the hike, and he told her - you could hike 2 miles in one hour.  After the hike I asked both of them how true was the time and they said - the ranger lied!  It took longer!  They were pooped when they got back.  Donna said that when they got to the lake, they were behind Liberty Bell, and wayyyy up there.