Corral Pass Camp Out

Family and I took time for a little camping adventure this week. We usually schedule one car camping trip every summer, but have skipped the last two years - so we were overdue. Son Ian found this place called "Corral Pass Campground" in a book from the library. After reading up a little on it, decided that's where headed....

The campground is located near Mount Rainier, about a 3 hour drive for us. Access to the campground is via a steep, rocky, rutted, 6 mile long dirt road that tops out at 5000+ feet of elevation. No services, except for a few pit toilets. Only 20 camp sites available, first come/first served, no reservations. Since we're talking mid-week camping, figured we'd score a spot. We loaded up the trusty family '97 Toyota RAV4 and hit the road. The beauty of car camping - you can bring a lot of stuff. The horror of car camping - you can bring a lot of stuff.

After a pleasant cruise towards the area, compete with stop at McDonalds (burp) - mandatory for all kids under 15 (federal law) - and another stop at the ranger station in Enumclaw to pick up the $5 access permit, we hit the base of the dirt road climb and pointed the overloaded RAV4 up towards our destination. The female half of the clan was freaked about this aspect of the trip. Ian and I however were looking forward to it. It's a rough road, not exactly true 4 wheeling, but something I wouldn't take the Ferrari on. Oh yeah, we don't own a Ferrari - so no problem there. I did put the RAV4 in low (auto trans) for the first time ever, while crawling over some of the rockier sections. No big deal though, you could climb this in almost any car, just watch out for the rocks. Rocks punching holes in the oil pan is never a good idea. Fun drive to the summit and added to the adventure of it all.

At the top sits a trailhead dirt parking lot and the campground. We idle the RAV4 through the campground looking for the best site. We have our choice, 'cause all 20 sites are empty - as is the trailhead parking lot. We appear to be the only humans around for miles. Pretty cool and a tad creepy. After selecting a spot, unload and set up camp. Tent, sleeping bags and mats, cooking stove, arrange food, etc. If you've been car camping, you know the drill and remember why one trip a year is enough.

During all this I'm amazed we're the only people here and have the entire campground to ourselves. Eventually, one other couple arrives and set up camp. I have to admit to my relief. This way we have a 50/50 chance of Big Foot getting to them first. Nice couple wandered over later to say hello. Nice or not, I'm still pointing Big Foot over to them.

Official camping festivities followed: Kids ran around, we cooked outside, swatted a few bugs, built a nice fire, roasted marshmallows and hot dogs. It was really special to have no one around, very different from the usual car camping gig. Almost like backpacking with your car. Yes, that would classify as cheating, but no one is keeping score. After the kids collapsed in the tent, we stayed up until 2:00 AM by the fire. Full moon, stars out, no bugs, cool temps. So quiet all I can hear is the ringing in my ears (thanks Ramones). Very nice indeed.

In the morning, egg sandwiches cooked on the certified Coleman stove, rising temps and sunny sky. Collapsed the tent and loaded up the RAV4. Why is cramming all the crap back in the car 10 times harder then the original load? All the junk somehow increases while out in the woods. With everything securely smashed back into the shrinking RAV4 interior, we head out for a family hike on one of the trails off the campsite.

The trail, "The Rainier View Trail", strangely enough offers a killer view of Mount Rainier (posted pic as proof). You need to work a little to earn it however. 1.5 mile hike up to catch the view. Once up there, awesome view of Rainier. A little hot, but no cloud cover - perfect day for this. We packed a lunch and took in the view for awhile. We saw no one on the trail or at the view point, so had all this to ourselves. Incredible. Eventually the same folks that shared the campsite appeared for the view as well. On the return 1.5 mile hike down, saw one other couple and another family. Either this is a very uncrowded spot or we just lucked out.

Drive back down the rocky 6 mile road to head home. The RAV4 brakes got a little mushy on the descent, so steep enough to get the brakes plenty hot. No problems though. Being mountain biker, ex-dirt motorcycle guy, and recovering gear head - got a kick out of the quasi-rally aspect of the access road. Fun stuff.

No bicycles on this adventure, mountain bikes off limits on the singletrack. We did see one woman riding her mountain bike up the dirt road, while we headed down. That would be a tough, fun climb. On the way home, we did revisit a nearby area that offers amazing mountain biking - we've raced there previously. Did a little more RAV4 quasi-off road action while checking that area out once again. I've wanted to camp and mountain bike there for years, this adventure reminded me of that fact - need to do so before winter hits.

All in all, a great trip. It's always good to get out there and do a little livin' outside. I suggest you do the same.

Mazama Trip

Summer means vacation time, so I recently took a week off and did a little traveling with the family. Lucky for us, Washington has some great places to visit, close to home. We decided to stay in Mazama for a few days - not a whole lot there, and that's the whole point. Kind of the middle of nowhere with plenty of hiking and mountain biking available. The place is a cross-country skiing mecca in the winter, with miles and miles of groomed ski trails. I've been to the area a few times, always in the summer, but the last time was almost 10 years ago. Time for a revisit.

Getting to Mazama is half the fun. You drive over the North Cascades Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the U.S. About a 4 hour drive for us. If you've never heard of it, may also be why it's also completely free of traffic. During my motorcycle days, always wanted to ride it, never happened. From the amount of motorcycles - touring, sport, and Harley types - seen heading over, plenty of other people have the same idea. Instead of piloting the Aprilia Falco SL 1000 that I sold off a few years ago, last motorcycle in the garage, I'm driving the trusty family Toyota RAV4 - complete with two mini humans in the back seat, that look an awful like the wife and I. Times change, usually for the better.

The previous two visits to this area were spent at Sun Mountain Lodge, quite a few years ago. A bit expensive at the time, it's become loopy priced now. Out of our family budget and just maybe not our scene anymore, even though they have some fun mountain bike trails available out the door. If you wanna spend the dough, a nice place though.

Mazama is a few miles up the road and less crowded. We booked the Mazama Country Inn for two nights to check it out. Kind of a rustic place with no televisions, phones in the rooms, or even cell phone coverage. I find that kind of kind of cool, let's unplug shall we. They do have wireless Internet however, seems to be no escaping that. Son Ian brought his PSP which I didn't even know picked up an Internet connection via WiFi. I guess it's almost impossible to completely unplug.

Mazama Country Inn also sports a small restaurant, pool, tennis courts, hot tub and trails right out the door. Lucky the restaurant had good food, since there's not a whole lot of choices without driving for 15 miles or so. The Mazama Country Store is also next door, so we grabbed lunch there as well. Not a bad set up. Having breakfast and dinner outside at the Inn was nice - squirrels and hummingbirds watching you eat. We car camp at times, but splurged a bit on all this. Sort of being outside while being pampered. Nothing wrong with that occasionally. The kids dug the pool, and the female half of the clan goofed around on the tennis court, while Ian and I rode mountain bikes. Sound okay? Yeah, it was.

In no particular order, some pictures and various rambling about the trip.....

The trails around Mazama are not very technical - mostly smooth, fast, hard packed trails - as Ian demonstrates. Fun for a change, plus really nice trail side scenery. A cyclocross bike here would rock. I'm sure some actual singletrack exists, we just didn't find any local examples. No problem though, had a good time on what we did find.

Example of scenery off the trail. Lots of meadows and mountain views. I shot this during one of our mountain bike rides. How do the locals stand it?

After spending two nights at the Mazama Country Inn, we loaded up for the drive home, including some sandwiches and snacks in the cooler. Before hitting the road, we cruised by the North Cascades Basecamp (pictured), a few miles from the Inn. I noticed the place on the Internet while planning the trip and wanted to check it out. While looking the place over from the car, Kim - half the husband and wife team that run the place - came out to greet us and asked if we would like to see the facility. Sure, so we piled out for a look. Cool place with simple rooms, a few shared bathrooms, shared common eating area and library. A large yard bordered the woods with trails to a riverbed, ponds to play in. Plus breakfast included. Perfect for kids to run around and Kim and husband Steve have two young kids as well. Great, let's extend the vacation and we signed on for a night there.

After making a picnic of our sandwiches on the outside table, we set off to walk the local trails. We had a great time goofing around the general area for a few hours. No one else around at all. Nice.

One of the trails off the North Cascades Basecamp property - perfect for kids to explore. This becomes a snowshoe trail in the winter. Easy outside family fun. Amy stands guard while Ian and mom walk the plank. I'm manning the camera as usual, it's my job - somebody gotta do it.

Ian and Amy check out the swimming hole behind the North Cascades Basecamp. The water was f-f-f-freezing, but they got a kick out of playing on the log and watching tadpoles. They declared this way more fun then the swimming pool at Mazama County Inn. I'd have to agree. A short hike past the pond puts you at a rocky riverbed, where they played for quite awhile. Perfect exploring area for kids - and adults.

North Cascades Basecamp, we hope to return soon. Owners Kim and Steve are also wildlife biologists and were great to chat with. Their daughter is the same age as Amy, so they enjoyed playing together as well. Very nice place and the vibe is right up my alley. The Mazama Country Inn was cool also, no complaints at all. Next time, we'll hit the Basecamp for the entire stay though.

Ian checks out yet another smooth, fast Mazama trail.

While staying at the Mazama Country Inn, watched a lightening bolt start a fire on the ridge above the hotel. Our room had a perfect view of the festivities. After an hour or so, the helicopters arrived......

It was interesting to watch the tag team of helicopters put out the smoldering blaze. During this, Ian and rode our mountain bikes over for a closer look, with the helicopters making the u-turn back for more water right over our heads. About two miles away, we rode right next to the pond where the 'copters were picking up water, hovering and dropping the bucket in for another load.

The 29er takes in the view from local bridge. During this ride a thundershower moved in, completely soaking Ian and I. We were a few miles out, riding in street clothes and received a royal soaking. When we arrived back at the hotel, sun was out. We just laughed about it and changed out of dripping clothes.

Here Ian and Amy fight the maddening crowds of Mazama. You could get used to this pretty easy.

Ian sprints across suspension bridge on local trail. This community trail runs from Mazama to Winthrop, about 20 miles. Flat, smooth and fast. We did about half of it, then turned around. It would be fun to ride the 'cross bike to Winthrop and back for a 40 mile romp. Winthrop is a small western theme tourist town, complete with wooden sidewalks, gift shops, a few places to eat and stay, parade of RVs and loud Harleys. Okay for a quick lunch and look see, then head back to quiet Mazama.

We did a few hikes as well, some the full family, some just Ian and I. This is Blue Lake, about 20 miles outside of Mazama. We hit this on the way home. All the following pictures are from this 4 mile hike. The female half elected to have a picnic at the trail head, while Ian and I trudged up the mountain. Here I pose for a future advertisement from the Washington Board of Tourism.

Snow cone anyone? Considering it's August, doubt this will melt before winter hits once again.

Tell me Washington doesn't rock, go ahead I dare you. We have some spectacular scenery for sure.

Stunning, eh?

Truly an amazing area of the country. No doubt. In a bizarre twist of fate, ran into some fellow coworkers and bike pals on this hike. We weren't even on the main trail either, it was steep detour off it - wacky. Had no idea we were in the same area for vacation. What were the chances of being there at the exact same time? Freaky. The day before, full family hike on a different trail, another family hiking recognized us from a trip to the zoo a few days earlier. Double freaky. I guess there really is no escape, sort of like WiFi.

All in all, a fun trip. The North Cascades is a beautiful area of the good ol' USA and worth the time to explore it. Spectacular scenery and no crowds. Trails to walk and ride on, mountains to gawk at and climb. The Winthrop area also has a bike festival every October. I've never attended. The mental wheels are already turning....