North Cascades Highway - March 2022

[Daboo]

Took a day-ride with James (jtvisions) to the North Cascades Highway. It's still closed at the Ross Dam Trail Head, but we could get to the Diablo Lake Overlook.

Davis Peak

Parked at the Observation Point.

Diablo Lake. You can still see ice on the lake to the left side.

The green color of the water is caused by glacial flour. https://www.nps.gov/places/diablo-lake-overlook.htm

[FONT=&amp]In summer, the distinctive turquoise color of the lake is the result of suspended fine rock particles refracting sunlight. These rock particles, called glacial flour, enter the lake when rock from the surrounding mountains is eroded by ice and flows into the water through glacial streams. The color is most vibrant on sunny days in July, August, and September when seasonal glacial melt occurs.[/FONT]

I was trying to capture the stark contrast of the wet rock that turned black from the water. I'll have to go back and try again.

A couple of the spillway gates from one of the dams was open. Quite often, it is just a minimal amount of standing water in that river bed.

Chris

 

[2andblue]

Thanks for sharing the pics Daboo - looks like an awesome day ride.

How is the winter debris on the roads, enough rain in lower altitudes to wash it away or do they not sand / salt the roads there into submission like other states?

 

[Daboo]

The lower elevations where it rains have no sand or debris. But as you head towards the mountains, there's still sand outside the tire tracks. I made a couple excited noises along the way from feeling the backend move out a few inches.