Aug 9 - Marblemount Fish Hatchery (Northern Cascades Highway)

I arrive at the Fish Hatchery. It's misting now. Not sure where to go so I go into a very small Visitor's Center. From there I move my car other side of the Visitor's Center. I then walk over to the "Standard Ponds". These hold the small fish (frys) - about 5-6 months of age. They are held in these ponds until these are large enough to release into the wild. Would love to see the fish but no one is allowed onto the walkways (I can understand why) and I can't see into them from the ground.

The next stop is the Release or Grow Out Channel. Some fish will spend up to a year in the channels before heading to the wild. I do not stop at the Release Channel because it's raining and I want to head down the trail.

The trail along Clark Creek. The trail along the creek is thru the woods to the Cascade River. The river is said to be a constant 40-55 degrees which makes it ideal for hatching and raising fish. Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead (all raised at the hatchery) can be seen in the creek (but I do not see any today).

Along the creek is an adult fish ladder. From May-Feb, salmon or steelhead may be seen jumping up the 5 steps of the ladder. No jumping fish today but the water is crystal clear.

There's another obstacle along the river - perhaps just a bridge for the fishery - not sure.

As I walk along, I finally see the river ahead.

As I round the corner, I scare an adult Bald Eagle from a gravel bar on the other side of the river. I see it fly  away. Shoot!

And, it gets better, I also scare a whole herd of deer with fawns that are on the other side. Unfortunately, all I have is my phone camera :(

The deer are still there when I turn a walk fast back to my car to grab my camera. By the time I get there, it's  pouring! I grab my camera and race back. Only when I get there, the deer are gone :(

But there looks like there's a young bald eagle out on the bar. I get a few shots before my camera get wet. Not a very smart thing on my part but hopefully it's OK.

I walk back to my car, dry off my camera and check the photo --- it's a Turkey Vulture!!

Best part of my whole day! Bald Eagle, herd of deer and a Turkey Vulture - awesome!

I head into town for lunch. Mondo Restaurant, it looks like a little dive but it's a big restaurant. I get a Turkey Dip. Yummy!

Time to move along...oh, according to Google Maps the road is still closed a Newshalem.

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