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Backpacking
Two years after Mt St Helens erupted in 1980, the Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument area was established to protect the surrounding 110k acres and allow the land to recover naturally. One year later visitors were able to drive to Windy Ridge four miles northeast of the crater. It was from this road that I connected to Boundary Trail 1 which traces the monument perimeter leading first to Norway Pass and then on to the Mt Margaret Backcountry area.
Our long-anticipated trip to The Enchantments began in mid-August with an overnight trip to Leanvenworth, WA and some amazing Brats for dinner in town. This was the perfect base for an early start up to Colchuck Lake for our three day adventure that began with the engagement of my youngest daughter at our campsite on the lake. The following day we tackled the intimidating Aasgard Pass to visit the Core Enchantments area and some of the most amazing views in the state.
We have our friend Gary to thank for hosting us on this spectacular backpacking trip. We hiked to Garibaldi Lake north of Vancouver BC last weekend and camped for two nights. The drive to the trailhead alone reveals sites that would have made the trip worthwhile. The hike is 9km in to the lake which is fed by a glacier that dominates the opposite side. The color of the water is almost beyond description and made me feel that I should desaturate the photo so I wouldn't be accused of color-tampering.
