September – 2013 – TRAVELING ORION

Continued from our recent adventure in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, state of Washington in the Northwest US…

The Boulder Cave, about five miles down the nearby road our campground at Little Naches (25 miles from Mt. Rainier).

Our camp group headed there by car, with a small uphill hike (2 miles round trip). Incredible place, with the deep ravine between forest covered rocky hills more amazing than the cave itself.

Also, the occasional special tree to stare at.

Further in, the more I loved of this deeper forest withing itself.

More further down, a small cave to the side of one cliff..not the Boulder Cave promised at the end of the trail, but worth checking out a bit later.

Love the colors here.

Under that smaller cave, but not so small now.

Moving on, and further down the ravine.

And finally, the Boulder Cave. Open on both ends, and a small, steady water stream from Devil’s Creek from the other side. At times, bats are said to hang inside.

“The frame of the cave leads to the frame of man.”

– Stephen Gardiner, Lord Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I

For more on Boulder Cave and its surroundings, click here.

Love a spontaneous adventure, especially around the Northern Cascades of Washington state, US Northwest area.

I enjoyed two half days to and through the Okanogan National Forest, camping with friends at the Little Naches campground. All, very close with the camp about 25 miles to the Mount Rainier. Just the cheer with a little hiking and night drinking was enough. The simple pleasures of camping and hiking were renewed, as such was long overdue with the extraneous stresses of city life.

There are pictures, with some note below:

Stepping outside the 410 freeway. Here, a vista view of some mountains and glaciers, I am unsure of on name. The funny thing here, are several views adjacent to each other on the road, divided by some nearby trees. The three views are different yet so close to each other of the same area. This one is best.

This is from the scenic route on the 410 freeway, heading east and further up.

When reaching your destination, look up and let it sink in. On a fast cloudy day like this, look up often. No two views over time were the same. The clouds move fast in the Northwest.