Marblemount Down Time
6 / 7
We broke camp at Newhalem and made one last stop before leaving. Danny wanted a shot of the old locomotive on display in town, so we pulled over while he grabbed a few photos. Nearby, a small metal structure stood on a set of columns that looked like oversized electrical insulators, a nod to the hydroelectric system that powers this remote corner of the Cascades. It’s a small area with a bit of history tied to the early development of the region, and a quick, worthwhile stop on the way out.
Newhalem Train
1 / 7
From there, we headed about 20 minutes up the road to Mondo Restaurant for lunch. Good food, relaxed atmosphere, and they were kind enough to let us hang out for a bit and use the internet. After a few days off-grid, that was a welcome break.
We then continued on to Marble Creek Campground, a peaceful, forested spot tucked deep in the trees alongside a rushing creek. It was quieter, cooler, and felt like a deep exhale after the busier days before. We spent the afternoon by the creek, enjoying the sound of the water flowing by. At one point, I waded in up to my thighs, letting the cold water hit sore muscles that had clearly not appreciated 3,000 feet of elevation gain the day before.
After our thigh-burning climb to Trappers Peak the day before, our bodies politely requested two full days of absolutely nothing. We listened. The following day, we lounged, read, and stayed in the cool shade of the campsite. My only responsibility was keeping the bug zapper in hand for any bugs that too ambitious. Sometimes doing nothing is exactly what’s needed.
We then continued on to Marble Creek Campground, a peaceful, forested spot tucked deep in the trees alongside a rushing creek. It was quieter, cooler, and felt like a deep exhale after the busier days before. We spent the afternoon by the creek, enjoying the sound of the water flowing by. At one point, I waded in up to my thighs, letting the cold water hit sore muscles that had clearly not appreciated 3,000 feet of elevation gain the day before.
After our thigh-burning climb to Trappers Peak the day before, our bodies politely requested two full days of absolutely nothing. We listened. The following day, we lounged, read, and stayed in the cool shade of the campsite. My only responsibility was keeping the bug zapper in hand for any bugs that too ambitious. Sometimes doing nothing is exactly what’s needed.