We are planning a trip this year through the Pacific Northwest. We love to boondock in our 34 foot RV. Any suggestions for North Cascades NP or Olympic NP? Thanks:)
I just revisited this revived thread and realized that Green is talking about the pink snow on Mt. Shuksan. Actually, that is a reflection from a gaudy sunset -- the snow on that mountain was white, with strong blue tones at the toes of the glaciers.
But we really have seen pink snow -- this was taken at 11,000 feet in the Sierra, north of Tioga Pass:
Those colors are not retouched at all -- the ice in the pond is turquoise, and the snow is pink due to that algae. It is hard to imagine a plant that photosynthesizes but is not green. And a ranger told us that if we ever needed to use that snow for drinking water, we could do so safely. (Since we don't backpack, that is very unlikely.)
But we really have seen pink snow -- this was taken at 11,000 feet in the Sierra, north of Tioga Pass:
Those colors are not retouched at all -- the ice in the pond is turquoise, and the snow is pink due to that algae. It is hard to imagine a plant that photosynthesizes but is not green. And a ranger told us that if we ever needed to use that snow for drinking water, we could do so safely. (Since we don't backpack, that is very unlikely.)
There is some boondocking northwest of the North Cascades NP, not far from Mt. Shuksan. It is not big-rig friendly -- lots of trees, narrow and muddy forest roads, rocks, etc. There is very little near Olympic NP. Maybe talk to the rangers in the nearby national forests??
Don't bother going to the Mt. Shuksan area, by the way -- the hills are all jagged and covered with this ugly white junk that turns pink in the late afternoon:
This was taken in the Hoh River Valley -- something is wrong with that vine maple -- you can see it has turned some funny colors:
And this is from the North Cascades in the Rainy Pass area -- this is taken from Maple Pass, looking north -- more of those darn pointy hills all over the place:
All attempts at levity aside, Northern Washington is astonishing -- some of the best hiking and camping we have ever experienced. Yes, the boondocking near the national parks is kind of limited, but the ordinary campgrounds are fine, and they are well-located.
Don't bother going to the Mt. Shuksan area, by the way -- the hills are all jagged and covered with this ugly white junk that turns pink in the late afternoon:
This was taken in the Hoh River Valley -- something is wrong with that vine maple -- you can see it has turned some funny colors:
And this is from the North Cascades in the Rainy Pass area -- this is taken from Maple Pass, looking north -- more of those darn pointy hills all over the place:
All attempts at levity aside, Northern Washington is astonishing -- some of the best hiking and camping we have ever experienced. Yes, the boondocking near the national parks is kind of limited, but the ordinary campgrounds are fine, and they are well-located.
