Full Moon Over the North Cascades

Bert Riggs and his wife just returned this weekend from RSL and submitted this image for us to enjoy on the blog.

He was up at 5 AM to enjoy the moonset and to get ready for fishing up lake.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Jonathan Jarvis Nominated by President Obama

The White House recently announced that Jonathan Jarvis is being nominated as director of the National Park Service.

Congratulations!!!

He is currently the regional director for Pacific West Region which includes 54 units in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands of Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa.

Jon served as superintendent of Mt. Rainier National Park and was the chief of natural and cultural resources for North Cascades National Park.

Way to go Ranger Jon!

I can only imagine how proud the staff for NCNP is right now!!!

Daily Chores - Boat cleaning.

© Paul Anderson

All it takes is a little teamwork, willpower, muscle, leverage, and a water source.

Jack Mountain from Big Beaver Boat Dock

© Paul Anderson

So here is a gem of info for you Cliff Clavin types who may enjoy useless information/trivia about Ross Lake.

Jack Mountain (elevation 9066 ft) rises 7,464 vertical feet above Ross Lake.

I know, I know - it may not seem that big just glancing at Jack as you canoe, kayak or boat beneath it, but that is a sizable amount of elevation gain!

For instance, Mt Everest is 29,029 elevation and a huge mountain. When mountaineers attempt to climb it via the north col route, they spend several days and nights at the advance base camp at 21,300 feet elevation!

A mere 7,729 vertical feet below the summit and just 265 feet higher than Ross Lake to the summit of Jack!

The North Cascades are notorious not for the mountain chain's overall height, but rather for how dramatic the relief is from valley bottoms, to ridge lines and mountain summits, and back down again.

This makes travel very difficult for cross country backpackers and mountaineers. It's also why there are so few auto routes across the Cascade Range.

So, remember, some time when you're out lounging on one of the docks or hanging out in one of the blue boats up lake - and you want to make a bet - point to Jack and maybe spew out that info to your fishing buddy or spouse who seldom get used to your insufferable nuggets of wisdom!

And remember, if you don't visit more often to the North Cascades each year, you'll always be a visit or two, or three behind.

You can't catch up!

Forest Fire on Ruby Mountain

Here is a link to the Chattermarks blog by our friends over at the North Cascades Institute and North Cascades National Park about the forest fire on Ruby Mountain.

http://chattermarks.ncascades.org/naturalist-notes/

and here is a link from the post by Bob Valen NCNP Public Information Ranger about wildfires.

http://www.nps.gov/fire/fire/fir_wildland.cfm

Very interesting links. Thanks Bob and Christian for the information!

By the way, please spend some time viewing the North Cascades Institute web site. They have a number of excellent courses coming up over the next several months. It is a good way to visit this area more often, to meet some outstanding instructors and staff, and immerse yourself into this beautiful landscape.

Magazine Article

Here is a link to the July issue of Bellingham Business Journal that featured an interview with Tom.

http://bbjtoday.com/blog/run-ross-lake-resort/2131

Meet Our Staff

Will Shields is a craftsman.

He builds boats.

He builds Adirondack chairs.

He builds just about anything around the resort.

On average, with no interruptions, Will can build one of the blue boats in about 1 1/2 weeks during the winter months.

Using jigs that Tom had built years ago, and patterns from the original resort boats, Will and Tom build about 2 -3 boats over the winter.

A gentle and steady hand is required to shape and fare in the ribs and stringers with the side panels. Piles of wood shavings are generated with each build.

Tom and Will take a lot of pride in this mostly hand build process.

It is part of the character of the resort.........

........ and the history of Ross Lake.

Meet Our Happy Staff II

© Paul K Anderson

Meet Lucy new resort supervisor! (Click on photos for a larger size image!)

Lucy has taken over Roland's role as supervisor.

She is a cross between a Beagle and Poodle, a Peagle or a Boodle???? I don't know.

Like many small dogs she has a bit of a Napoleon complex. Thinks she is in charge of everything, everybody.

She frequently will ride the water taxi keeping Tom or Carol company.

But she has her own management style and is often caught sneaking up to the bow of the boat (at 40 mph), walking the narrow six inch toe rail on the sides of the boat, where her ears and jowls can flap freely in the breeze.

Meet Our Happy Staff

© Paul Anderson

Meet Ethan, jack of all trades and hard worker!

You'll typically meet Ethan down on the boat ramp when you arrive, he helps you with your bags and supplies and then drives the truck up to Ross Lake and pitches in getting bags off the truck and onto the small boat dock for the ferry over to the cabins.

Around the resort he can be found over at the gas dock cleaning boats, or chopping, delivering, and stacking wood, swapping out propane tanks on your BBQ, hauling garbage and recycling from your cabin, hauling the garbage down to Diablo Lake and RLR garbage bins, or doing any other job needed to keep this operation humming for your enjoyment.

In the winter Ethan keeps the resort afloat by shoveling snow.

He likes to sit in the bow of the boat where the ear coverings of his hat can flap freely in the breeze.

This photo not withstanding, Ethan is a warm and friendly guy! Be sure and say hi!

Sunburns and Trout fishing

The official start of the '09 fishing season has started out great. Many happy and sun soaked fisher folks have been catching plenty of Ross Lake wild rainbows. Mostly trolling with pop gear and various lures. The fish have been caught on Bingo Bugs, Flatfish, Spinner flys, Wedding Rings, Rapalas and other lures. I just measured the longest Rainbow I've ever seen caught from Ross Lake - a beautilful 21 inch Rainbow caught by Heather True and Derrick Borgmann. Like true fishermen, they won't tell where it was taken until they leave. I expect this fishing action to continue well into the summer and fall. -Tom

Psssst ........ Fishing Season Starts Tomorrow

Full Moon July 7th

© Paul K Anderson

For those of you fortunate enough to be spending time up at RLR or in the North Cascades NP next week, remember the full moon is on the 7th of July.

Please, howl to your hearts content!

We are only on this planet for a relatively short trip!

Dedicated Group Of National Park Service Staff

all images © Paul Anderson

A great group of NPS staff stopped by the resort this morning and met briefly with Tom before venturing up lake for a tour of campgrounds, and the natural resources/features surrounding the lake.

Rosemary Seifried is leading the group of park rangers, backcountry rangers, information specialists, and staff from North Cascades National Park Headquarters, and from offices in Stehekin, Newhalem, and Marblemount.

Tom gave an overview of resort operations, services provided, and a description of the water taxi operation.

There is a very good and strong partnership existing between The National Park Service, Seattle City Light and Ross Lake Resort which results in a wonderful experience for all of us that venture to North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Ross Lake Resort.

Gerry Cook, long time employee of North Cascades NP skippers the Ross Mule for the tour.

Kayaking Ross Lake

Devil's Creek, Dylan, Mackenzie and Marny © Paul K Anderson

Arctic Creek and Curran  © Paul K Anderson

Arctic Creek and Curran  © Paul K Anderson

Mackenzie at Skymo Creek © Paul K Anderson

Ross Lake is a mecca for kayakers.

Numerous campsites around the lake, spectacular mountains, and hidden waterfalls and canyons all add to the enjoyment of the experience.

Hike up Big Beaver from the campsite to see large old growth red cedars.  Hike up Desolation Peak and visit the fire lookout where Jack Kerouac spent a fire season and started one of his books.

Kayak to the base of Skymo, Arctic, and No Name Falls and slip into the narrow high walled canyon at Devil's Creek.

What are you waiting for?  Next year you're only going to be another year older!

Life is short, enjoy the North Cascades now!

Spring Move II

Keena is supervising the camp move this spring.  Carol's spring planting's are waiting in the back for planting.

Spring Move

Every spring, and every fall, the floating cabins and other buildings are moved from either near the shore to the log boom or from log boom back to shore for the normal summer configuration.

Why?

Ross Lake is a reservoir and Seattle City Light Lowers the level of the lake for electrical demands and for prevention of damage and flooding due to winter floods and early spring snow melt.

So, the resort moves the buildings and cabins in November and May.

Here are some images that Tom and the staff shot in May to show us the process.

Fathers Day Part II

Well, I can't think of a better way to spend Fathers Day than getting ready and packing for spending the long hours of the solstice up here at the resort with the kids and a couple of their friends.

The lake is at it's peak level, snow still hangs from the ledges and snowfields on Colonial, Pyramid, and Jack Mountains and the waterfalls are full.

The kids just took off in the blue boats for some exploration time up at Ruby Creek.

The girls from housekeeping are prepping the cabins for the next guests coming in this afternoon, Tom is assembling a new gas grill so he can burn some steaks and Carol is muttering at the reservations software program that is running slow.

Will shields, long time staff member is sharpening a chain saw, Wendy his wife has the day off and Ethan Abata is out splitting wood for the cabins.

Jeff Jewett, minus his dreadlocks from last year, also has the day off.

Lucas Qualls who is starting his fifth year on staff was blowing glass last night and these photos are from that session.

More later.

Canoe and Kayak Ross Lake

© Paul K Anderson

© Paul K Anderson

Come on up and visit Ross Lake to canoe, kayak, hike, or climb and be sure to stop by and visit and check on cabin availability for your next trip.

RLR provides the only shuttle service on the lake and can run you, your gear,  and supplies the full length of the lake in our fast shuttle boat.

We also rent boats, canoes and kayaks, but you must reserve in advance during the busy summer season.

There are occasional cabins available on specific dates, so if you can plan your adventure around your reservation you could start or end your trip in style and comfort.

And of course, if you bring your own canoe or kayak, RLR will shuttle you and your gear by truck from the base of Ross Dam and Diablo Lake to Ross Lake and back again at the end of your trip.

Remember you must reserve camping sites through the National Park Service.  See the link on the right side of the blog.

Check out www.rosslakeresort.com for rates and fees.

Happy Fathers Day

© Paul K Anderson

The Solitude and the Quiet

© Paul K. Anderson

On a tiny island, in the middle of Ross Lake, in the middle of the North Cascades, he stops and listens.

It is quiet.

Quiet allows time to be undistracted, time for self-reflection, and for self-discovery. Soon he begins to hear waves gently lapping against rocks, the wind rustling the needles on the fir trees, and the kayakers paddles rhythmically entering and leaving the water.

He hears the sound of Canadian Geese flying above, and the Stellar Jay squawking for a handout.  He hears his breath moving first in, then out.  He hears his heartbeat. 

The other children soon join him and the spell is quickly broken.  A contest starts on who can toss the largest rock and make the biggest karploosh!

But for one brief moment on a tiny island, in the middle of a large lake, in the middle of a national park, a young man found solitude and quiet.  

And for the rest of his life, in his most stressful moments, in the middle of a large city, in the dinning, cacophonous sounds of urban life, he may choose to pause and remember.

He will remember the snow on the mountain tops, the sound of the wind, the flutter and gyrations of a Big Leaf Maple leaf as it flutters to the ground, the luminous blue of the Stellar Jay, and the cedar and fir infused scents of fresh air.

And for another brief moment, he again finds the solitude and the quiet.