Salmo-Priest Wilderness

For the 4th of July weekend, some friends and I decided to drive to the Salmo-Priest wilderness in the very NE corner of Washington state. This was a 20-mile loop (with side trips) with about 3400 feet of elevation gain. This was also a great way to break in my BRAND NEW ultralight backpack, tent, and assorted supplies. 

Sorry for how sparse this post will be, but I'm finally adding it a month later. I need a new blogging strategy...

Heidi and I modeling our new backpacks. Mine is brand new and hers is my old pack.

 It was a very log drive to the Salmo-Priest, so we stayed in Steamboat Rock State Park on the way. It also allowed us to see the fireworks over Grand Coulee Dam, the largest electric power-producing facility in the United States and one of the largest concrete structures in the world!

One of my favorite views in the state, Dry Falls, on the way to Steamboat Rock.

Our favorite campsite at Steamboat Rock. We've camped here at least 5 times in the past few years.

Someone installed a rope-swing!

Breaking in my new ultralight sleeping pad.

Another view of our campsite.

Fireworks over the dam.

Grand Coulee Dam

My new tent! Yes!

Look how cute and awkward I am!

 After a night in Grand Coulee, we were off for another 5 hours of driving to get to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.

Having some extra carbs before the long hike.

I was expecting this hike to be beautiful, but WOW. The easily rivals the beauty of the Enchantments.

We had already hiked a few thousand feet in elevation this day, but we had more to go. You can the cabin we were headed towards on the very top of the mountain in this picture.

We could see into Canada and Idaho.

The view from the cabin.

The crew (from left: Heidi, me, Eamon, and Sam)

We made it back!

Woo! What a great trip!