Aug 9 - Northern Cascades Visitors Center - Newhalem

Continuing east with next stop of the Northern Cascade Visitor's Center. My GPS is still telling me the road is closed.

I arrive at the Center and take the River Loop (1.8 miles, 100ft). Again thru the mossy woods. Again big trees.

And it's a long walk to reach the river. It's probably at the 1/2 way point. The water here is moving a bit fast than at Razar Park.

The other side of the loop passes thru a section of the forest that experienced a burn some time ago. Nice to see the forest recovering.

It wasn't raining when I walked the loop - yea! But it started when I took the short walk on the Sterling Munro boardwalk to an overview -- a cloudy, raining overlook.

Back in the VC, I checked the board. It said the road is open to local traffic only and no stopping for the 14 miles where the fire is.

I then talk to the Ranger, who said the road is open (thanks to the rain) to everyone just no stopping.

Hmmm, should I go thru. I really want to go on the Whale Watch now and to Mt Baker. But I have reservation (already paid) for on Winthrop. Decisions, decisions - some of the hikes I want to walk are in the fire area.

Well, I think I'm going to check if I can get the Whale reservation. If not, I'm heading to Winthrop. If yes, I'm heading to Bellingham (and eating my hotel reservations).

But first, I head to hike to Ladder Creek, it's just up the road. When I get there, I find tons of fire fighter tents and vehicles. I don't want to go on the hike now; I feel like I'm getting in the way. I also feel like I don't want to drive thru all these hard working folks. I'm not going.

I pull off and check to see about Whale reservations but I have no service.

I head back to Marblemount where I was able to snag a ticket. So I'm happy to go whaling but sad I'm eating my reservation. But even if I go to Winthrop, there might be smoke to deal with if the fire picks up. There's also a chance, if the fire picks up, they might close Hwy 20 again. Probably not likely, but the Ranger did say, it's a day by day thing.

Guess I'm heading to Bellingham to go Whale watching and see Mt Baker!

Guess seeing the Northern Cascades will have to wait for another year - maybe.

Heading to Bellingham!

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