Bean Creek Basin

NEAR: Cle Elum

ROUND TRIP: 5 miles

ELEVATION GAIN: 2000 ft

This pretty alpine valley is nestled above the Teanaway River and under the imposing granite wall of Mt Stuart on the east slopes of the Cascades, about 2 hours drive from Seattle. Considering this lengthy journey we decided to camp near the trail head rather than force Lilli to sit in the car for 4 hours and the backpack for 3 hours in a single day. We rushed away from Seattle on Friday afternoon after a very busy day spent cramming the car full of camping gear and arrived a little late at the campsite. But our tardiness didn't matter since Lilli refused to sleep until night fell and the tent grew dark. Once she was peacefully asleep we enjoyed our dinner under a clear sky full of stars. Our woodland silence was shattered with the arrival of noisy young neighbours who startled us with excited chatting about their shotgun. We watched in horror as the gun was unloaded from the car along with a shovel!

Thankfully we lived to the following morning, by which time Lilli was burrowed 2 feet deep under the covers in our bed. Despite the massing grey clouds we set off for Bean Creek Basin. The trail follows Bean Creek's rounded v shaped valley upward, passing dry forest and tired lupines. The sound of the rushing creek and the slow steady rhythm of my steps soon lulled Lilli to sleep. She missed the trees that were snapped like twigs from various avalanches that roared down the steep slopes from the ridge above. At 2 miles the valley widens and stony Earl Peak dominates the skyline. Within another half mile we staggered into a verdant meadow full of purple larkspur, fiery indian paintbrush and creamy buckwheat. Welcome to Bean Creek Basin! Lilli discovered grasshoppers while we enjoyed our delicious salami sandwiches.

That afternoon we treated Lilli. Now it was her turn to have some fun. The Teanaway River, flowing past our campsite, provided all the entertainment we needed. Lilli was in toddler heaven throwing rocks into the river pools and splashing her feet in the cold shallows. Another toddler joined us and soon Lilli and Sylvia become firm friends.

We packed up the following morning after a rather rainy night, said farewell to our friendly fellow campers (excluding the shotgun crew who had thankfully left), and returned to Seattle to prepare for a night out with friends at wonderful Cantinetta.