One of my favourite shorter rides in the area was the loop along SR-530 from I-5 through Darrington to Rockport to Baker Lake and then SR-20 back to I-5 and home. Most of it, especially the section along SR-530 is forest and after Darrington follows the Sauk River. And there is little traffic on the road, making for a pleasant journey. So today was the day to revisit.
I have often driven through Darrington, and had lunch at the diner on
the main road a number of times. But never have I visited the rest of the
town. So I did that today. It's a nice place, with a small downtown section.
From one of the streets I snapped this photo of Whitehorse Mountain, which
has a number of glaciers. Even at this late stage of summer, snow can be
seen on the peak.
Bringing my own lunch this time (it seems I have been eating a lot, so this
is the chance to eat a small amount) I took the road into Whitehorse County Park,
just off SR-530 as it leaves Darrington headed towards Rockport. A quite, pleasant
place to enjoy a piece of fruit.
A closer view of the jagged peaks which are located north of the Stillaguamish River
which flows from Darrington towards Arlington and Puget Sound. The headwaters
of that river almost meet the south fork of the Sauk River at Darrington.
This is by the side of the road north of Darrington. As a size comparison for
the trees, there are 2 cars in this photo - my white rental car in the lower right,
and another red vehicle on the road coming towards the camera.
Looking south (towards Darrington) at the same location. The peak in the
distance is Whitehorse Mountain. In winter, the peak is snowy white.
This bridge carries SR-530 across the Sauk River, which enters from the
right and flows to the left to join the Skagit River at Rockport. Note that the
grey coloured water in front is actually a pool. Being the end of summer, there
is little water flowing down the stream, and it is on the other side of bed.
A view upstream. The leaning tree is likely the result of river bank erosion
during Spring runoff, or perhaps warm rains in November melting snow before
it has had a chance to freeze up.
The view downstream from the Lower Sauk Boat Ramp. Note that the grey water nearest
the camera is a pond, whereas the flowing river is on the far side.
Baker Lake is one of Puget Sound Energy's hydroelectric dams. There are two dams,
one near Concrete (and the Skagit River) and this, the Upper Baker Dam, with Baker
Lake behind it. This is Mt. Baker, after which the river and lake are named.
The mountain is over 3000m (10,000 feet), and as with all the Cascade Range volcanic
peaks, is still considered an active volcano, with steam venting from the top
from time to time. The small lake in front is actually part of the dam; it catches
water that would otherwise miss the dam. It accumulates in here, and is pumped
into the dam as appropriate.
This is Mt. Shuksan, reflected in the waters of Baker Lake. Both this and the
above photo were taken at the boat launching ramp for Baker Lake, located at
the campground provided by Puget Sound Energy near the dam wall.
From here it was a straight drive along SR-20 to I-5 to "home". A very pleasant day's outing.
The Gang Of Five
Gig Harbor
Reunions