Wednesday it rained all day, but Dave and I headed out to the national park again. We watched the movie in the visitor's center and then visited the Newhalem Store to buy a postcard. Newhalem is the village where the dam workers lived while the dams where being built, and where they still live.
Below is a cloudy picture that shows some of the many power lines we saw along Highway 20. The dams were built in this area in order to supply the Seattle area with hydro-electric power. Afterwards, it became a national park and we noticed that the park's movie and visitor's center did its best to ignore and downplay the dams.
The following structure, called "Temple of Power", was built by using some of the structures and electrical parts used on the dams.
The Skagit City Light tour office is located in Newhalem across from the store, but it doesn't open for the season until July 4. They offer a boat ride tour of Diablo Lake that we might want take we if ever visit here again the summer.
Looking up while inside the "Temple". You can see some more power lines overhead.
We drove east to walk along Rock Shelter trail, where we were protected from the rain because of all the trees. 
Native Americans used this big rock as a shelter.
Newhalem Creek near Rock Shelter.
Then we drove on to Happy Creek and walked on the short forest trail. Because of the rain, we didn't take the longer trail to the falls.
We drove along Highway 20 to the east until we got to the unmarked Ross Lake overlook, and stopped at the Diablo Lake overlook on the way back.
This was a view from the highway of the rainy, cloudy day.
Diablo Lake
A closer view of Diablo Lake and all the clouds.
It was cold and windy at the Diablo Lake overlook, but these daisies are hearty!
One picture that I took back in the village of Marblemount was of this unusual barbecue place called "Que Car BBQ". We didn't have a chance to sample their food.
On Thursday we drove through the eastern part of North Cascades on our way to Winthrop. I'll share those photos next time!
Beautiful area & pictures!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous header photo.
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of rushing water. To me it is very calming.
The lake is beautiful even in the fog and rain. Sure hope the weather improves for you and you get some nice sunny days.
ReplyDeleteI liked those kind of moody pictures of Diablo Lake.
ReplyDeleteWe have been across Highway 20 (a few years back) but didn't stop at North Cascades. Maybe we can adjust our plans and swing up that way again, using your posts as an inspiration. Tell us more about it at Nehalem Bay SP!
ReplyDelete