Rock Shelter Trail
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North Cascades Day 2: Towering Trees and Trails
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With highs hitting 90 degrees, we stuck to morning hiking and shady trails near Newhalem Campground. Thankfully, the dense canopy of Douglas fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock offered some relief. Some of these trees grow over 200 feet tall and can live more than 1,000 years. Walking among them felt like stepping into an ancient, green cathedral.
We strung together several short trails, though primarily walked the Rock Shelter Trail, which connects to the Trail of the Cedars. Along the way, we wandered past moss-draped giants, fern-covered ground, and a rich understory for such an old-growth forest.
The Rock Shelter Trail leads to a rock shelter, which is an archaeological site once used by Indigenous peoples as far back as 1,400 years ago. Archaeologists carbon dated smoke marks on the ceiling and uncovered charred mountain goat bones inside.
We took a rough side trail down to the creek near the rock shelter, winding through an old burn area, now thick with regrowth and brush. It was overgrown and a bit scrappy, but we picked a few wild berries along the way, said a few Hey Bear's and sang some tunes just in case, scrambled over rocks, and took in the peaceful sound of water tucked amidst the forest.
That afternoon was hammocks in the shade at the campsite.
We strung together several short trails, though primarily walked the Rock Shelter Trail, which connects to the Trail of the Cedars. Along the way, we wandered past moss-draped giants, fern-covered ground, and a rich understory for such an old-growth forest.
The Rock Shelter Trail leads to a rock shelter, which is an archaeological site once used by Indigenous peoples as far back as 1,400 years ago. Archaeologists carbon dated smoke marks on the ceiling and uncovered charred mountain goat bones inside.
We took a rough side trail down to the creek near the rock shelter, winding through an old burn area, now thick with regrowth and brush. It was overgrown and a bit scrappy, but we picked a few wild berries along the way, said a few Hey Bear's and sang some tunes just in case, scrambled over rocks, and took in the peaceful sound of water tucked amidst the forest.
That afternoon was hammocks in the shade at the campsite.