Day 7, August 14 - Rasar & Rockport State Parks

We started our last day of hiking with morning fog; the rain stopped from the night before. Alan and I chose easy “walks “ today.  We left the camp around 9:15am and the temperature was 61 degrees. The first stop was Rasar State Park with our guide Marti and six other hikers. We were along a different part of the Skagit River than previous hikes.  We walked a one mile loop and then headed to 5 B’s Bakery for indulgent gluten free sweet snacks.

After the short stop at the bakery we were off to Rockport State Park where we had lunch and hiked 3.8 miles. At the very end of our hike we visited the “Grandmother Cedar” and took a circular selfie of our whole group (eight). It is an ancient tree and estimated 500 to 600-year-old western red cedar.

We came upon a lookout that had a view of the confluence of the Skagit and Sauk Rivers.  We didn’t realize it at the time - a state park ranger explained it to us as we returned to the  trailhead.

At our last dinner at camp, a card was passed among the hikers to wish our fellow hiker (who had the mishap earlier) a speedy recovery.

To conclude August Camp, hikers were encouraged to participate in “The Follies,” at campfire. Those in the group with talent were encouraged to showcase those talents. To kick things off, one hiker demonstrated ancient tai chi-like stretching. It is a slow-motion exercise for relaxation, balance and health. There were also several comedians, a drummer, a group song, and several soloists (including one with lyrics describing camp). The grand finale was the “croo” performance of a small skit/song.

Due to the rain the prior night, slugs were plentiful!

Tree restoration taking place within Rasar State Park. Each orange flag represents a seedling.

One of the three different different display cases of gluten free pastries.

Our group enjoying the gluten free treats.

Although difficult to see, the confluence of the Skagit and Sauk Rivers.

Alan and I posing in front of the “Grandmother Cedar.”

The circular group selfie and the “Grandmother Cedar.”

The “tradition,” the Concrete Post Office.

The camp mailbox performing as a “lost and found.”

The crew or “croo” that arrived a week before camp. They set up over 30 tents, serviced washing stations, emptied trash, made our meals, sanitized our dinner ware, and did anything else needed for camp to run smoothly.

The “croo” also had a tradition for the last night of camp and performed a short song/skit. They are in sleeping bags because they are representing worms😊

Day 6, August 13 - Baker Lake Trail

At breakfast today, we received a short update on our fellow hiker who had a tumble earlier in the week. He made a trip to the emergency room, which was a relief to know he was getting checked out.

We headed out of camp, with our hike leader Dave, around 8:20 am and arrived at the trailhead about 9:50. It was about 64 degrees outside and eventually reached 80. Our hike was 8.7 miles long and had about 800 feet of elevation gain. Throughout the day we were parallel to Baker Lake. At several times, including our lunch stop, the view of Baker Lake was stunning. The only downside was the smoky haze.

One of the hikers in our group, Ellen, took a swim during our lunch break. After completing the return trip, we headed into Concrete for a repeat trip for ice cream.

After dinner, the crew manager explained the outdoor kitchen.  She also gave a brief summary of their daily routine:

up at 5:45 am,

work on breakfast and dinner meal prep until 9am.

9am to 4 pm is mid day break

Dinner prep until 6:30pm

Cleanup and the next day’s lunch prep until 9pm.

During the evening “camp fire” reports, the heavens opened up with rain putting a “damper” on the days end. The day’s hike reports were shortened and the next day hike sign up was postponed until the morning.

The view, from our lunch stop, of Mt Baker.

At different angles, the water in Baker Lake was a beautiful turquoise.

Our water crossing today was trickier than this photo depicts.

After the hikers do the initial scraping and washing of dishes, then the sanitizing system starts with a boiling degreaser, next boiling water then the last step is a bleach.  When the dishes are dry, they are sanitized and ready for use again.

The three commercial stove/ovens, fueled by propane, and used at camp.

Part of the meal prep station.

The refrigeration system used at camp. This year it ran on electricity. In other years, if there is no electricity, it is run by diesel generator.

More bathroom artwork.

Day 5, August 12th - North Cascades Visitor Center & Trails

After yesterday’s unplanned extended, emotional hike, Alan and I opted for the Cascades visitor center and adjoining trails. The car trip was a short 1/2 hour. Ten hikers and one guide (Marianna) chose this option. It was a slightly cool start to the day at about 55 degrees and topped out at about 74.

Along the way we had the chance to get in photo opportunities at the North Cascades National Park welcome sign. Today’s hike was super easy - no poles. Alan and I did get four miles of walking the trails that surrounding visitor center. We walked for a while with the whole group and then split off and went along the Skagit River and took another small loop to a “rock house.” It was used by some of the earliest residents of the area, native Americans called the Upper Skagit People.  By dating hearth charcoal, archeologists determined that people cooked there for over 1200 years. Alan and I tried to determine how the people accessed the “house” as the area all around was very steep; we didn’t figure it out.  We were the only two people on that small loop which made for a very serene walk. I use the term “walk,” because there was almost no elevation gain (295 feet), no rock scrambles or roots!

The group reconnected for lunch at the visitor center.  Afterwards some of the group listened to a nature talk about trees, while others relaxed.  The talk was supposed to be outdoors, however the skies held onto smoke from fires in Washington state.

Our guide offered to stop at a local campground, Glacier Peak Campground, where we could pay $5.00 to take a hot shower. Alan and I were not passing up on the opportunity.  The private shower area was spacious and the water was hot!

The photo is deceiving as it looks like we are level to the “Rock House.” In actuality we were on a raised platform, with the house and river a good steep 30 feet below.

The Skagit River

Blackberry patches within the camp area.

Alan and I each with a handful of the berries.

Brown paper bag lunches with our selections circled on the the bag. After breakfast, hikers fill out the next days lunch when picking up lunch.

In addition to sandwiches, snacks are provided to add to your bag, including: several different kinds of gorp, cookies (or in the case, Rice Krispy treats), carrots, cucumbers and celery.

More bathroom “artwork.”

Day 4, August 11 - Sauk Mountain Hike

After the last night’s descriptions of the days’ hikes, Alan and I chose the Sauk Mountain hike.  The description was so tempting 19 hikers decided to join this hike even though it was one of the shortest hikes of the week. The name is similar to yesterday’s hike, but was a completely different hike.

Sauk Mtn Road to the trailhead was a potholed gravel road that required excellent maneuverability skills as the rental vans tended to bottom out. It took about 1 hr to go six miles.

The hike was a bit more than I anticipated.  Even with the 26 switchbacks, the elevation gain of 1082 feet in just under two miles was a challenge. We started hiking around 9:45am with a temperature around 64 degrees. The group finished about 5:30pm at 69 degrees.  The switchback sections of the trail tended to be very narrow - no walking side by side. The further up the mountain we went, the rockier and narrower it became.  The last 1/10th of the hike was a rock scramble.  I’m not ashamed to say that I was scared.  But I made it with the encouragement of Alan and our hike leader, Mary.

On the trip down the mountain there was a small accident (will not write about it here) which is why the trip down took longer. Everyone in the group was ok. The car ride back down the bumpy road took another hour, which made us a bit late dinner.

Just a few of the 26 switchbacks.

Lunch at the top of the mountain.

Fireweed was in bloom along the mountain side and in the meadows.

Alan and Henry

One of the many sayings posted in the portable toilets throughout the camp.

Day 3, August 10 - Old Sauk River Trail

The morning started a bit foggy and cool.  We were served a delicious pancake breakfast.

Alan and I opted for another easier hike. It turns out (no surprise) I’m a slow hiker and can’t get the harder/longer hikes completed in the allotted amount of time.

The car ride to the beginning of the hike was much shorter than the day before which meant we started hiking earlier in the day at about 9:30am and it was about 62 degrees. We went 6.5 miles and had only 256 feet of elevation on the Old Sauk River Trail.

Although today’s trail didn’t have sweeping vistas it was more than compensated for with the  tranquility.  We only saw one other hiker the whole day. The trail was verdant and calming as it followed along the Sauk River. There were massive old Douglas Fir trees, hemlocks and firs. The fourteen of us enjoyed our paper bag lunches at the 1/2 way point and then headed back. We finished hiking around 3pm and it was about 80 degrees. On the way back to camp we stopped in Concrete for ice cream.

Act One Ice Cream is an independently owned shop inside a historic theater building in old town Concrete. It serves small-batch Wisconsin ice cream, (sourced from Cedar Crest Dairy a family-owned Wisconsin dairy). Built inside a remodeled historic space that doubles as the theater lobby and an art gallery.  Alan opted for an affogato which is ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over the top and I enjoyed a chocolate/carmel flavored scoop.

A big plus for ending earlier today as that we were able to partake in a solar shower. It was Alan’s first solar shower; I used one ages ago at a family pig roast.

The day ended with a scrumptious dinner and the evening hiker meeting. Each night at the camper meeting as hikers sign up for the next days’ hike, the camp director, Gina, plays her guitar and the group joins in the singing.

The Sauk River.

Our turn around point of the trail and our lunch spot.

Two large slugs spotted along the water’s edge.

Ice Cream stop in Concrete.

Day 2, August 9 - Blue Lake Trail

The day started with “bugle” call notifying camp that breakfast would be served at 7am. Our first breakfast at camp was delicious and filling.  After breakfast Alan and I carpooled with nine other campers to the Blue Lake trail.  We opted for a shorter hike the first day to give me recovery time from the Colorado hiking.

Driving through Cascades National Park we encountered smoke from local fires, but we were never in danger of the fires. Along the route to the trailhead we made a short stop at a visitor center and at one scenic overlook.  It was a long drive and that meant we didn’t start hiking until almost noon and finished just about 4pm.

The hike included about 1000 feet elevation gain during the five mile out and back trail.  Our hike leader was Marianne. We saw mountain goats along the trail, fireweed in bloom, gorgeous views and the stunning lake.

The weather was great. The trail was dusty with many tree roots and quite a bit of rock during the second mile.

Blue Lake

Our first scenic overlook.

A family of goats we saw that were practically on the trail.

A different view of Blue Lake

Two options to cross the stream; we chose the one on the right.

A chef and assistants prepare and cook all meals. All baked goods such as rolls and breads are made by an on-site baker.

One of the many sayings posted in the portable toilets throughout the camp.

Day 1 - Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) August 8, 2026

Today Alan and I started our North Cascades hiking trip with the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). The AMC is the oldest conservation organization in the United States, dedicated to preserving the essential land and resources throughout its region. One part conservation and one part recreation, AMC provides lodging, guided experiences, and resources to help a person get the most of an outdoor journey.

We left our hotel at 4am to catch our 6:20am flight to Washington. We are a part of “August Camp” that is a volunteer run camp near Concrete, WA. We arrived to a tent village that provides a cross between backpacking and glamping.  There are 64 campers/hikers participating. The camp provided meals that are prepared in a field kitchen.

We met the group leaders inside the Seattle airport and were lucky enough to be in the second van leaving for the camp.  Group leaders Paul, Jeannine and Marianne were part of our group to the camp.

On the way to camp, we stopped at the local bakery, 5b’s Bakery, in Concrete.  The pastry selection was mouth watering; Alan and I shared a spinach ricotta calzone and a five nut and fruit bar.  To our surprise the baked goods were all gluten free.

When we arrived at camp, we had a wide selection of tents and locations to choose from. We decided on tent number “29.”  The site is down a slight hill and shared with eight other tents.  The Skagit River is just a short walk.  Alan and I scouted the key locations in camp: the water “buffalo,” the community dinner table, the tea (coffee) house, the solar shower set up and of course, the bathrooms.

As part of the first day at camp, there were two camper meetings.  The first was general information, and the second meeting was about the next day’s hikes.  In between the two meetings was a delicious meal that included eggplant parmesan.  After the meal, two of the crew demonstrated proper dish cleaning techniques.  Each camper cleans their own dinnerware, and the crew (croo) completed the process with a sterilization.

Skagit River near our campsites.

Welcome at the airport.

Our home for the week - tent #29.

The solar shower set up.

The meal dining area

The tea/coffee tent.

The crew (croo) demonstrating how to clean dishes after dinner.