[Newt]

as I seen it. At least for now. It was a windy day with a deep bite to it. Partly sunny but the feel of very late fall/early winter in the air. As I drove thru the towns of Newhalem and Diablo, they felt like modern day ghost towns. Very little activity, the wind blowing the leaves across the road and yards. It was so peaceful I wish I could have stayed. As I left the clouds appeared to be moving in to drop some snow. I saw an Eagle close up but didn't have the time to get photos. I got out of the truck to check the river and saw some Eagles, Vultures and Seagulls fighting for salvage rights for dinner on the Skagit. I could hear the talking back and forth. Was neat. The sunset on the way out was awesome. Sorry, but no good places to get a pic. Except for the end of the road, the photos were taken from the road as I had little time to wander. Lots of construction activity and trucks on the road. Stop and go, one lane traffic in places up to Newhalem where the road is closed. The washout is much bigger than it appears in the photos. Progress is being made. End of the Road NN

[sarbar]

Hey, by any chance, did you notice if the Goodell Creek Campground was closed? It is right before Newhalem on the right (before the visitor center).

[Newt]

I believe it said CLOSED NN

[sarbar]

Poopie-since Colonial Creek CG got toasted (at Diablo) and the main CG at the visitor center are closed in winter, Goodell was always the only one open. I stayed there I think 4 or so times last winter. It has the best viewing of the bald eagles around.

[Newt]

You might give the ranger station a call as I don't see it listed as closed. I know as I approached Newhalem the sign said a couple were closed. Could have been those past the road closure. I'll admit, I didn't pay real, real close attention to the sign so, I may be wrong, Dang it anyway. I just hate that. Sorry. NN

[sarbar]

I should have been physic and known you were heading up there Heehee!! Yeah, I could get off my lazy butt and call them....but that takes exercise!

[Stefan]

[Duncan]

Sarbar, here's what the NCNP webpage says: Goodell Creek SR 20 MP 119, elev. 500' OPEN 21 sites. Fee: $10/night. Flood damage to all lower sites. Sites 16-20 near the shelter and boat launch remain open. Open all year. Vault toilets. Picnic shelter and raft launch on Skagit River. No firewood gathering permitted. Campground open in winter with no water, services, or fee. The closed sign Newbie may have seen was probably for the visitor center. Hope this is what your looking for. Cheers!

[sarbar]

Thanks! It's my favorite because of 3 reasons: FREE, (it does have water, ya just gotta filter it and it has 2 choice privies) it is very peaceful under a light canopy of trees and the creek gurgling by, and that covered picnic area rocks, we'd set up camp near it, then take our chairs and everything down there and spend 90% of our time there. It is right above the creek. In all the times I have spent there in off season, we were always the only people there Best of all:on weekends you can go over to the visitor center on cold days and use the heated bathrooms for "sponge baths" and loiter in front of their oversized fireplace till the ranger glares at you with the look of "get your stinky butt out of my place!"

[Newt]

Yup, Newbie took those pictures. Lucky to come back alive too. Most folks don't come back from *The End Of The Road*. NN

[polarbear]

[Newt]

That was my running around. 'Sides, you wouldn't want me to waste your tax $$ would you? NN

[Andrew]

Oh my gosh! Is that the remnants of Highway 20 in your album, with the metal water tube?

[Newt]

That's it for now. It's being repaired as I type. Replacement culvert should arrive first of the week. All other areas of damage are being worked on. 6, I think. NN

[Newt]

Well it was another nice, sunny and brisk day to head to Diablo. Looks like Goodell is open. It also looks like they drained the reservoir behind Gorge Dam. This is the lowest I've seen it. Diablo Newt