2 Aug - 6 Aug 2008
Overall impression: Upper Thunder Basin is an amazing, magical place.
2 Aug 2008
Pre-hike: I arrived at the visitor center to have my trip itinerary totally re-arranged due to high levels of snowpack. The ranger station and backcountry office were wonderful in providing suggestions for re-planning my trip. They provided free bear canister loans. I borrowed a size "small," as I would be able to hang my food for the first few days of my trip.
Pre-trip hike: .5 mile loop - Gorge Overlook Trail. this trail overlooks the lake and hydroelectric dam.
Day 1 hiking: 6.9 miles to McAllister camp. The hike is easy, and only took about 2 3/4 hours. This was the only camp I stayed at that had seperate kitchen and sleeping areas.
Day 2: McAllister camp to Upper Thunder Basin Camp - 11.6 miles, 7 hours. The first 7.3 miles in 4 hours, 4 miles in 3 hours through "The Meadows of Despare," downed trees, and snowfields. This was the day I adjusted my trip itenerary, as I reached my intended campsite (Skagit Queen) before 2pm, and found it to be buggy and not really a place I wanted to spend my afternoon. While changing itinerary mid-trip is frowned upon, I knew this was a little used area of the park. Additionally, I was still in the same area of the park, just doing a 6 day trip in 5 days. I was also concerned about food and water purification capabilities for six full days, based on my food and water intake over the first two days. Upper Thunder Basin is an amazing location. It is surrounded by glaciers and was a valley full of wildflowers in full bloom when I was there. It is a little piece of paradise perched in the mountains.
Day 3: Upper Thunder Basin to Skagit Queen Camp (possibly Horse Camp.) 4.5 miles of backpacking plus additional "day hike" up at Upper Thunder Basin. I did a morning "day hike" up to the pass above Upper Thunder Basin, then packed up camp to head down to Skagit Queen Camp. This site is one I would avoid in the future - It lacks flat spaces, has plentiful mosquitoes, and requires a bit of a walk to get to a water source.
Day 4: Skagit Queen Camp to McAllister Camp, with Meadow Cabin Trail included Milage: ?
The Meadow Cabin Trail is a steep side trail that drops down to an old cabin. One cabin was in the middle of being restored, one was unrestored. I was able to explore the restored cagin, which had lots of supplies and a guest book. I weighed my pack on a spring scale there, which said it was about 30 lbs. The hike out was hot, long, and straight up.
At some point that day I saw people for the first time since the man who provided guidance - about 43 hours without seeing another human.
Day 5: McAllister Camp to Trailhead. Milage: 6.9 miles. Time: 2 3/4 hrs
My return to "civilization" went faster than I wanted. People seemed odd and foreign. There is a pay phone in Newell, WA (in the park), which is where I called out to let the world (or at least Libby) know that I had safety returned.
