usbackroads destination-Glacier View Campground, Lake Wenatchee, Wenatchee National Forest
This campground is named for the view of Glacier Peak. Glacier Peak is Washington's states unknown volcano. It is one of the five major volcanoes in Washington state. It is smack dab in the middle of the Glacier Peak Wilderness and is seldom seen outside of the Wilderness Area. But here at the boat launch you can see it off in the distance. Oh, that handy snag laying in the lake next to the boat launch is actually a Forest Service breakwater. Looks nice, in keeping with the boat launch and campground. Most people do not realize that it was not there naturally!! Well, the breakwater is my favorite part of this campground...maybe the only part.
When I was working for the Forest Service I walked through this campground several times trying to figure out a way to "fix' it given the topography. I finally gave up and suggested to the Ranger District that they remove the campground. Well, I was told that this is a very popular campground and the public would not accept it being closed.
These are the campsites from the "parking area". That is a pretty steep slope down to the tent. Accessibility? Well maybe for a mountain goat family.
And for all this here is the fee board. No that is not a misprint. It is fourteen dollars a day.
But the people keep coming all summer long for that view shown at the top of the blog. If you camp here bring your tent and kayak or canoe. Oh, don't forget the life jackets. The lake does get very windy and the water is very cold. Drownings are common on the lake. Still want to come?? Fishing is poor, except during the sockeye run which happens every two years. Then the lake is covered with boats. In fact, there is a rather poor boat launch at the campground. Good luck during sockeye season.
There are a couple of larger campsites next to the boat launch. You will have plenty of company all day long as people come and go, but a small trailer can fit in one of the sites.
One other reason to visit Glacier View is the trail to Hidden Lake. The original trailhead is just west of the boat launch. However, about 10 years ago the Forest Service put in another trailhead above the campground. Take a look at that trailhead. Now that is good design. I probably should have argued for moving the entire campground up to the trailhead!! Here is the link to the trail description: Hidden Lake Trail.
This is a great trail for kids or folks that do not hike. A great place to walk and have a picnic. The lake has very small trout in it. A great "stroll" through the woods.
Next posting more information on Lake Wenatchee area.
Whoa Nelly..Vlad...That is a great campground...the road weeds out the rowdies..We stayed there in our 20'trailer years ago.It should never be closed..What's the other choice in the summer? Lake Wen.S/P Nason Creek?? They are zoo's in the prime months..We need more NFS Campgrounds!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, UPRIVERDAVID
ENTIAT......
Well, you notice that the campground is still there and I am not!!
ReplyDeleteIt is just an "ugly" campground from a facilities point of view. Oh well, at least there is a new toilet there at the boat launch.
What we really need is more inexpensive FS campgrounds. Inexpensive to build and maintain. Inexpensive when it comes to fees.
Inexpensive for the public all around including fees.
I like this campground (and those like it) because of the minimal facilities, rough road, and no reservations. If you want a quieter spot with fewer kids, dogs and camper / trailer generators then this is it. The mostly carry in tent sites appeal to certain type of camper.
ReplyDeleteThat Hidden Lake trail (.6 mile) is a great, easy intro hike with the feel of a high mountain lake. Also nice when the wind is blowing at the big lake.
I kind of hope that your less than favorable comments might work to my advantage. I love this campground! The view is spectacular, the tent sights are spacious with lake front property, and the "mountain goat" accessiblity may just keep some people away. This is a great place for outdoor lovers who don't care about the "facilities." There are State Parks and KOA's for that sort of "camping."
ReplyDeleteI agree with "Anonymous". This campsite is one of my favorites for the fact that it does keep a lot of people out due to the hike into the tent sites and the lack of facilities. That's what I call camping!
ReplyDeleteI Love this campground. And what I love about it is that high-maintenance people stay away.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite site is the hardest one to get to - down on the waterfront.
Mosquitos. That pretty much covers it. I've been an avid camper and backpacker for 50+ years and have seen my fair share of mosquitos.. I spent 12 years in Minnesota where the mosquito is the state bird. I have NEVER seen mosquitos like this. Nice view and great old school tent sites, but you had better bring a couple of quarts of extra blood. Note the right side of the picture of the road by the campsites. That is a "drainage" ditch that doen't actually drain. Makes a damn fine mosquito hatchery though. I have never cut short a camping trip for weather or critters, but at 8:30 pm we packed up two small kids with more bites than you can imagine and drove home. Too bad- nice place otherwise. Maybe after the first frost. Oh... the bathrooms are indeed clean, but not mosquito proof.
ReplyDeleteMosquitos beware... We just spent out three day 4th of July weekend here and I must say it was the worst camping experience EVER... We used everything you could think of repellant, OFF candles, oil essentials and still got eatin like never before. My 8 year old had over 49 masquito bites and it was miserable... Beautiful lake/place but we will never return EVER!
ReplyDeleteDuring which months are the mosquitoes bad? I'm assuming the summer months...or should we expect them as early as the first weekend in May?
ReplyDelete