I just finished with my first camping trip in Gladi, at Newhalem campground in the the North Cascades National park, and it was a blast. Since dogs aren't allowed on the trails in National Parks Dhugal got to stay at the grandparents.
I headed up Thursday after work and found a great spot on the B loop. The campground is great with nice, semi private spots and good solid restrooms. My Sister and family were joining me Friday night, so I brought up all their gear so they wouldn't 
have to mess with it when they pulled in late. The weather was warm and the sky clear, but given this is the PNW, I went ahead and set up their tent and tossed stuff in behind. Tent assembly, while not hard was a good reminder of why I bought Gladi. Hard work done, it was time to watch some videos and fall asleep.
The fold down bed/bench seat wasn't to bad to sleep on, it needs some tweaking but works. All in all I had a good sleep. I woke to a great sunny morning and spent time exploring the area. There are great trails through out the campground. The town of Newhalem was short walk away and fun to poke around.
There is no cell reseption, but there is a land line phone near the Newhalem restrooms (in town) that lets you make free calls to the Seattle area (Newhalem is the company town for Seattle City Light). I made good use of that phone. I stopped by the NP visitors center, very nice, and picked up the free Jr rangers kit for my niece. I then hopped in Gladi and checked out some of the other campgrounds, and the general area.
It was starting to get to be dinner time and since I didn't feel like cooking I drove down to Marblemount and had a decent dinner at the cafe there. As I was heading back to the campground the weather began to change and the rain came pouring in. I was raining so hard I had trouble seeing the road.
I made it back and in between the rain squalls got my sisters families tent ready to sleep in (air mattress inflated, tarp set up). My Sister and her family rolled in late and while they got things situated I entertained the kids in the van and out of the rain and mud.
Saturday morning opened clear, if not a bit drippy so we set about the traditional camping breakfast, Spam and eggs, under the open sky. Of course half way through eating it began to rain and I made a dash for the van, eveyone else soon followed. Ever wonder how many people fit in an Astro mini van? We had 3 adults a 4 year old and a one year old, all eating breakfast with room to spare.
After awhile the rain tapered off andexploring we all went. The night before and
before breakfast my niece finished her junior ranger book, so off to get her badge. Then we explored the Trail of Cedars, Ladder Creek Falls, and the town of Newhalem. Before long it was time for me to head home and back to work. We tossed the wet tent in the back of Gladi and off I went.
I had a blast! I will be back to Newhalem again. It was a fun and beautiful place to stay.
have to mess with it when they pulled in late. The weather was warm and the sky clear, but given this is the PNW, I went ahead and set up their tent and tossed stuff in behind. Tent assembly, while not hard was a good reminder of why I bought Gladi. Hard work done, it was time to watch some videos and fall asleep.The fold down bed/bench seat wasn't to bad to sleep on, it needs some tweaking but works. All in all I had a good sleep. I woke to a great sunny morning and spent time exploring the area. There are great trails through out the campground. The town of Newhalem was short walk away and fun to poke around.
There is no cell reseption, but there is a land line phone near the Newhalem restrooms (in town) that lets you make free calls to the Seattle area (Newhalem is the company town for Seattle City Light). I made good use of that phone. I stopped by the NP visitors center, very nice, and picked up the free Jr rangers kit for my niece. I then hopped in Gladi and checked out some of the other campgrounds, and the general area.
It was starting to get to be dinner time and since I didn't feel like cooking I drove down to Marblemount and had a decent dinner at the cafe there. As I was heading back to the campground the weather began to change and the rain came pouring in. I was raining so hard I had trouble seeing the road.
I made it back and in between the rain squalls got my sisters families tent ready to sleep in (air mattress inflated, tarp set up). My Sister and her family rolled in late and while they got things situated I entertained the kids in the van and out of the rain and mud.
Saturday morning opened clear, if not a bit drippy so we set about the traditional camping breakfast, Spam and eggs, under the open sky. Of course half way through eating it began to rain and I made a dash for the van, eveyone else soon followed. Ever wonder how many people fit in an Astro mini van? We had 3 adults a 4 year old and a one year old, all eating breakfast with room to spare.
After awhile the rain tapered off andexploring we all went. The night before and
before breakfast my niece finished her junior ranger book, so off to get her badge. Then we explored the Trail of Cedars, Ladder Creek Falls, and the town of Newhalem. Before long it was time for me to head home and back to work. We tossed the wet tent in the back of Gladi and off I went.I had a blast! I will be back to Newhalem again. It was a fun and beautiful place to stay.
