Backpacking: Paddle-in on Diablo Lake
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Planning our Trip
Niko and I spent this past summer in the beautiful Washington State while on my second travel nurse assignment. Knowing there were so many incredible things to do and views to see, we decided to sit down and make what I would refer to as our PNW bucket list. Here are some of the resources we used to make those plans:
Park service websites and campendium for campground and BLM resources
Pinterest itineraries // adventure blog posts
Saved ideas I accumulated from instagram
Recommendations from friends
AllTrails // Washington Trails Association for hike details and recent reviews
Diablo Lake was number one on the list for me because of its breathtaking views, turquoise waters, and the opportunity to break out our paddle board. This lake falls within the boundaries of The Northern Cascades National Park, an iconic alpine landscape known for its jagged peaks and cascading waterfalls. While researching the best spots to take our board, we found dog-friendly campsites available for reservation through a permit system. The only way to reach one of these designated campsites is via watercraft. Paddle board backpacking is something we hadn’t ever thought to do, but sounded like a dang good time so we went ahead and snagged a date. Remote spaces and permit only spaces are extra enjoyable for us because, generally speaking, they take planning and extra effort to get there. This translates to lower crowds and the fun experience of working for your views. Backcountry zones are an opportunity to explore more freely with our dogs and feel more in tune with nature. When we do have run-ins with other people in the secluded wilderness areas, we usually find them to be super friendly, very outdoor-loving, and just as happy to be there as we are.
This trip was reserved on recreation.gov. We opted for the thunder point campground which is the closest of campsites from the colonial creek boat launch. It was a 2 mile paddle — we wanted to keep it short because we knew it would be hot out and we didn’t want the dogs to get too warm or antsy for no good reason. We knew we would be able to paddle extra and explore the lake a little further if we wanted after setting up camp. Thunder point also had excellent reviews and some nice amenities including: a bear box, a picnic table, a doc, and a vault privy.
NOTE: our dogs have had a lot of exposure to paddle boards. We knew they would be able to comfortably tolerate at least 30 continuous minutes on the board, even on a summer day. It is so important to know your dog’s limits and tolerance with activities so that your experience is enjoyable and safe for all!
Packing for the Overnight
We already had a single person paddle board, but I had been eyeing the tandem paddle board at Costco and this trip was the reason we finally pulled the trigger on it. Ultimately we bought vs rented for several reasons, the first being that we did not want to concern ourselves with having a dog on a rental board [we didn’t want to be concerned with potential damage charges for the inevitable small scratches their nails cause]. We also knew it would get plenty of use in the future because the tandem model allows all of us to fit on one board. Lastly, having a second board gives us the ability to both be out on our own boards at the same time instead of taking turns while someone is stuck on shore. Niko and I packed as if we were going for a hike-in backpacking trip which means we only took what we could carry on our backs while paddle boarding. Combined, our bags held:
A two person tent
Two sleeping bags
Two sleeping pads
Camp meals and snacks
Jet Boil and fuel
Water and water filter
Utensils
Camera gear
Sunscreen and bug spray
Clothes
Bathing suit
A comfy set to sleep and an outfit for our self-photographed engagement session
Outer layers and hats
Pair of shoes
Emergency supplies
Paddle board pump
Paddle board patch kit
Lighter
Utility knife
Two adult life jackets
Compact towel
Toilet paper
Entertainment
Books
Beer and nips
Dog food, treats, and bowls
Leashes and e-collars
Poop bags
Getting to our Campsite
It took us approximately 20-25 minutes of nearly constant paddling to get to Thunder point. We each took a dog on the front and set off paddling with our packs on our backs. We considered wrapping our bags in plastic so we wouldn’t have to wear them, but we didn’t want to risk water leaking in.
NOTE: Should you choose to go on a similar excursion, keep in mind that if you fall in the water with 40+lbs on your back you will have to work quickly to remove the bag and access your life jacket — especially in cold, glacial water. We had a safety plan in mind and stuck within reach of each other, but not too close that if one man went down, the other would get knocked off as well.
As eager as I was to document everything, we kept our phones and camera away for the upstream paddle. We didn’t want to risk something going wrong so early on and putting a damper on the rest of the trip. We would have plenty of time on the way back down to capture the beauty of this place — or so we thought.
We spotted our dock and pulled in, securing our boards. Thunder point has a total of four designated sites to pitch a tent. There were two spots within eye shot as soon as we made it up the bank and the remaining two were about 40 yards off in a more wooded setting, offering shade and privacy. The trade off was that the latter didn’t have the same spectacular views as the frontmost sites, plus they were already occupied with gear.
Exploring Diablo Lake
With our campsite set-up and the dogs having had a decent break from the paddle boards, we decided to explore further down the lake jumping off now and then to wander around little islands and other shorelines that are inaccessible by foot. Eventually we made our way back to our base camp and found that our neighbors were home. We had the pleasure of sharing this space with two other couples and two cute dachshunds. The afternoon was spent enjoying drinks, jumping off the dock, and trading stories.
Out of nowhere there was a sudden, loud noise. Niko and I made eye contact and the realization settled in that our tandem paddle board had just exploded. We received notice of a recall a few days prior, but with summer in full swing there were no other tandems in stock to replace it with in time. Rather than cancel our trip, we opted to take the gamble. Obviously we were hoping the board would get us through the trip, but we also knew we would be able shuttle everyone and everything to and from the campsite with a bunch of trips in the worst case scenario. We walked over to the shoreline to take a look at the damage and knew instantly there was absolutely nothing our patch kit could have done to repair that type of a hole. It didn’t take long for us to start laughing and joking about the situation we now found ourselves in. The brainstorms started flowing of how to most efficiently get back to our car in the morning and we were generously offered help from our new friends Jena and Marie.
The sun started to shift in the sky and we split off from our neighbors to take some photos and enjoy a backpacker’s dinner. Unfortunately, there would be no sunset paddle for the four of us. Dusk began to fall before we knew it and we decided to have another first. We left our tent set up in its place just in case, but gathered up our pads and bags and made our way down to the dock to cowboy camp. We fell asleep gazing at stars to the sounds of the water lapping at the shore. Sleep came easy on that cool night after a long day in the sun. I was snuggled right up against Niko and the dogs still trying to wrap my head around our extraordinary weekday adventure.
Getting Back to the Car
We rose with the sun in the morning, watching all of the colors bleed back into the landscape. Reluctantly, we crawled out of the warmth of our sleeping bags and packed up camp after a little while. With Jena’s help, the shuttle back to our car began. I am happy to report that the way back was very uneventful, and that no one took any unexpected morning swims. The highly anticipated photo op on the water didn’t happen after all, but it ignited even more motivation to come back and do it all over again. If a paddle-in campsite is something you think you’d enjoy, this is one hell of a spot to do it.
