Grandkids First Backpack

 

I've gone on a hiking trip over the 4th of July holiday every year since 2022 simply because I know I will have a handful of days off work that I don't have to ask for. This year I was excited to finally see Garibaldi Lake (last year's fail here) and doubly excited that Ken had agreed to come with me. These permits are not easy to get, nor are they cheap...so it was doubly hard to cancel for the second time when the weather forecast once again turned iffy. But hauling ass up that mountain to only look at misty fog would probably have insured Ken never came with me again. Except I still had the days off, so another pivot was in order.  

Being it was the historic 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we decided to take the grandkids to their first big fireworks show - and throw in their first backpack while we were at it. So a very big pivot! From British Columbia to Wenatchee! 

Waiting for the big show

The only thing giving us pause was thinking about the drive over Hwy 2...if you are a Washingtonian you know why. Any summer weekend is bad, but a holiday weekend? Ugh. One word of advice: don't trust Google Maps when it advises you to take side roads to avoid the jam. You may think you are getting ahead...until you have to merge back in. Lesson learned. 

Sammie made a new friend

Another lesson: if attending a massive festival where everyone leaves at the same time and you are staying at a hotel just a mile away, take the bus there and then plan to walk back. That was our plan, but then because we had so much stuff, we just drove and hoped for the best. The "best" was an hour in the car. The trains that go directly through town and block everything compounded the mess. Though the show really was worth it.

But back to the backpack; the Clara and Marion Lake hike is only a half hour drive from Wenatchee. It starts right in the Mission Ridge Ski Resort parking lot. The Chair 5 Pub is also there, and after a near four hour drive (with two antsy kids, which makes it feel twice that) we decided a beer was in order. They have lovely outdoor seating, and yes, kids are not only welcomed but catered to with games, coloring supplies and a great kids menu. HIGHLY recommended. 

The hike itself is only a 3 mile up and back, so I don't think many folks bother backpacking it. (Though it does have a near thousand foot gain, so it's a good challenge for kids.) I had read reports that there were several spots "between the lakes" so when we got to Clara Lake we didn't even bother looking.

Instead we pressed on with eyes peeled for the perfect spot. We kept saying "maybe over there"...but nothing. When the trail split I was sure they must be up where it looked to be a flat area, but nope. The split was just another way back to Lake Clara. No camping spots whatsoever. 

The view if you scramble up the scree past Lake Marion

When we got to Lake Marion and saw what looked to be a little island I could tell right away that's where the camping spot was. "Between the lakes" must have meant the two bodies of water on either side - the clear side and the marshy mess that looked to be a mosquito breeding ground. 

But it wasn't!! Hardly a bug to be found...miraculous! We had such an amazing time with the whole lake to ourselves. Both kids caught their first fish - one had the biggest and the other got two, so thankfully we didn't have to deal with too much jealousy. 

For anyone interested, after trying the other lake in the morning, the consensus was that Marion is better for fishing, even though it's smaller. But there are camping spots at Lake Clara; you just have to take a right when you get there. I would say either lake is hard to beat if you are looking for a first time backpacking experience. Happy "generational" trails!

Deception Falls by Steven's Pass makes a great driving break