Rustic Newhalem pulls on roots of this city kid

I'm a city kid. Seattle parks and scenery and my little urban garden provide my usual dose of Mother Nature, but when I get the chance, I head out of town. Ocean beaches, the San Juans, Whidbey Island, Hurricane Ridge, Eastern Washington, I adore them all. A drive through the Cascade foothills with stops at farm stands, Snoqualmie Falls and the country market at Remlinger Farm is my idea of a great day.

For Northwest nature nirvana, Newhalem along the North Cascades Highway is my favorite destination. About three hours from Seattle, an awesomely scenic drive amidst mountains, lakes and rivers, Newhalem is great for a day trip or a stop along the way to Eastern Washington.

Newhalem is a company town, owned by Seattle City Light since 1918 as part of the Skagit Hydroelectric Project dams that provide electrical power for Seattle. July through September, City Light hosts escorted tours by boat and bus of the dam area, with the chicken dinner that's been a traditional part of the tour for decades available on some days.

Whether staying or just passing through, don't miss the Trail of the Cedars, a half-mile walk through old-growth forest accessible by foot bridge near the Skagit General Store in Newhalem and, just past town, Ladder Creek Falls, behind the historic City Light powerhouse, also accessible by suspension bridge from a parking lot right off the highway. If you're continuing your drive across the pass, the one-mile walk to Rainy Lake from the parking area at Washington Pass offers another awesome dose of natural beauty.

Newhalem's rustic charms don't include any gas stations, restaurants or lodging besides camping, so plan accordingly. (My first trip many years ago involved an in-car sleepover adventure at a Newhalem campground. My urban thinking was that there must be hotels along the highway. Nope.) The Skagit General Store offers a good variety of food, basic supplies and souvenirs but is open shorter hours than city-dwellers are used to.

The North Cascades Visitors Center near milepost 120 off Highway 20, 206-386-4495, has exhibits on local nature, history and other useful information. The Cascade Loop Association offers a free 68-page booklet on travel in the North Cascades, available on line at www.cascadeloop.com or by calling 509-662-3888, or contact the North Cascade Information Center in Marblemount, 360-873-2106 or www.marblemount.com.

For information on City Light tours and facilities, call 206-684-3030 or see www.ci.seattle.wa.us/light/tours/skagit.

Madeline McKenzie, Times' news assistant for Northwest Weekend, attended Holy Rosary School, Holy Names Academy, South Seattle Community College and the University of Washington. Frequently spotted at Seward Park, Alki, the Arboretum and local museums, bookstores and brew pubs. By the way, Terry Tazioli, Times travel editor, and McKenzie both made their first Holy Communions at Holy Rosary.