Kayak finally done, I took her out for a 3 day paddle up at Ross Lake in the North Cascades a couple weekends ago and couldn't have asked for a better trip. A better planned trip, yes.
I departed with 4 friends on Friday morning at 6:30am, where we headed up to Marblemount to register with the ranger. Being the only one with a kayak, the plan was for me to put in at the Colonial Creek/Thunder Arm of Diablo Lake and paddle up to the Ross Lake Portage while the other 4 continued on and hiked to Ross Lake, where they would take a ferry across to Ross Lake Resort. From there, they would rent kayaks and I would meet up with them. We figured there would be an hour difference. I gave them a radio so we could keep in communication while separated.
Unfortunately, the weather on Friday was poor. Driving rain and wind hampered my trip up Diablo and to make things worse, I mixed my bearings and ended up paddling the wrong way up Diablo. It wasn't until I reached Diablo Dam itself that I realized my mistake. I finally reached the Ross Lake portage, but by the time I put into the lake, my fellow compatriots had given up the ghost and rented an available cabin at Ross Lake resort. Seeing a warm, dry room with cold beer waiting for me, I didn't protest too much.
The next morning, the weather was clear and beautiful. We set off to our camp site, approx 3.5 miles out of Ross Lake and set up camp. That afternoon, three of us made our way to Devil's Creek, a very beautiful slot canyon, where we spent a few hours. The wind was strong on our way out and it took us almost 3 hours to make what had originally taken us just 1.
The next day, the water was glass calm and we all paddled out. Knowing Diablo Lake much better, I was able to make the trip back to my car and wouldn't you know it, turns out that my friends were one hour ahead of me, as planned. I put in about 20 miles on my boat and she even fully loaded, she performed beautifully.
Did I really build an extra long kayak just to haul beer? yes.
Sunday morning, Ross Lake Resort.
Dave and Elizabeth
Kirk's Photos - thanks to Kirk!
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