Read on to learn when the best and worst times are to visit this gorgeous park. Ladder Creek Falls: 0.4 miles, easy. It covers nearly 1 million acres of land and is home to miles of ocean coastline, a temperate rainforest, and the Olympic Mountain range. This is a classic hike in the Stehekin side of the park. We drove up from Leavenworth, visiting Chelan on the way. Winter Sports Side Trips Rasar State Park, Mt Baker Find places to stay Sep 4 6: Find places to stay with best proximity to your trip North Cascades National Park. In fact, you could easily drive through the park on Highway 20 and barely know youre in a national park (except for the Diablo Lake Overlook). Visit the scenic overlooks, yes . Guide to Hiking North Cascades National Park. Rent either an entire house or cabin or a room at the lodge, where you can gaze out at the beautiful Lake Chelan and the mountains of the North Cascades. Mountain goat at Sahale Glacier Camp The park touches Canada on the north and reaches south to Lake Chelan, where you can access one of the gems of the North Cascades, Stehekin. You can check out Ranger Programs for interpretive programs, ranger-led walks and talks, to find program and events that occur during your visit, or check locally at visitor centers. North Cascades National Park. (Photo by Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty . North Cascades is one of three national parks in the state of Washington, the others being Olympic and Mount Rainier. Read on for our guide to North Cascades National Park. To the east is the Okanogan National Forest, where you will find beautiful lakes, hiking trails, and the Washington Pass Overlook. Mount Shuskan, Late September/Early October Conclusion If you're looking to visit North Cascades National Park in June, the park will be accessible, but just barely. During the winter, Highway 20 closes through most of the Park from just west of Mazama to Ross Lake. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. To really see this spectacular park, you need to get off the highway. Snow is off all but the highest trails by July. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Take it slow on this trail, and look down. Six drive-in campgrounds are available throughout the park, with fees ranging from free to $16, depending on the campground. Cutthroat Lake: 4 miles, easy. However, if you only have a day, North Cascades National Park is perfect for road trippers visiting all of the national parks in Washington (, Camping is the perfect way to explore this beautiful national park. Pack weights vary between 25 and 45 pounds, depending on the duration of the trip, the time of year, and your height and weight. But the North Cascades developed geologically separately from the volcanoes, so they look different from what most people think of when considering the PNW. North Cascades Highway (State Highway 20) is the only paved road in the park. North Cascades Hiking and Leave No Trace Check out our. with its incredible jagged mountain peaks, expansive glacially-carved valleys, endless temperate rainforest, old-growth trees, turquoise-colored lakes and life-sustaining rivers. One of the best parts about this park is how underrated it is! We slept in Marblemount and on day 3 hiked Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Stay in one of 15 floating cabins on Ross Lake with views out onto the lake and surrounding mountains, or access boat-in-only camping through the resort. Visitors enjoy a large amount of biodiversity and beautiful waterways. There are three sections to North Cascades National Park Complex: There is only one paved road in the park. We only had one full day here and unfortunately, storms moved in, so we could not do any hiking. Make sure to check out the Mazama Store for local art, treats, and other goodies. During this high season, you can catch some views at the North Cascades Highway, Diablo Lake Overlook, Washington Pass Overlook, and Cascade Pass. Learn how to stay safe while enjoying the park complex. If you camp, it is essential to bring warm and comfortable layers, walkable shoes, and rain gear. This is our itinerary for visiting North Cascades National Park. Layers and layers of glacier-capped mountains stretch off in all directions. To get to these regions, you can either drive on one of the dirt roads or go backpacking. While summer is more popular, safer, and has more opportunities, it does carry some risks. This hike is also 9 miles in length with 1,350 feet of elevation gain. With two days in North Cascades National Park, do what I list above on day 1. If you are not sure of the requirements for the area you are hiking in, talk to a ranger. When hiking, choosing the best trails for you is an essential step. Before you go, make sure you get updates about park conditions, road closures, and trail closures on the National Park service website. There are countless day hikes in North Cascades National Park. The position is mostly based out of the Newhalem North Cascades National Park Visitor Center with a possible . Ptarmigan Ridge Trail. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Even though outdoor activities are most popular in the North Cascades, consider adding a scenic drive to your trip can be fun. On the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, you may need to deal with more weather concerns and, as a result, more specialty gear. Position Summary: The North Cascades National Park is recruiting one 680 Hour Trail Crew Steward Individual Placement beginning May through September 2023 to provide recreation and natural resource management assistance. If you decide to venture out in this weather, you must bring plenty of warm clothing and water-safe gear. 5. Just 2 hours from the urban bustle of Seattle, WA, North Cascades National Park is an underrated gem waiting to be explored. Find information on boating in the park complex. We are also a member of several other affiliate networks. Glaciers cap the mountains and snow blankets trails well into the summer. Be prepared for wintry conditions as early as September or October. I suggest stopping by the visitor's center to get acquainted with fees and parking. This is a family-friendly trail that starts at Diablo Lake. Thunder Knob Trail - 3.6 mile roundtrip with a 425 foot elevation gain. But to experience these sights, youll have to get out of the car. Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm: 12 miles, hard. Cascade Pass 55 Hiking Trails By mistyschulz Lots of wild blueberries and we saw a bear and mountain goats. Our website uses cookies. It includes eight distinct life zones thanks to its variety of elevation and fire ecology. There are several small towns to the east of the national park. If you plan a spring trip to North Cascades National Park, be ready to explore trails at lower elevations and prepare for any sort of weather! Rachel Means. These deciduous conifers grace the alpine zones of the North Cascades and turn bright yellow in the fall before shedding their needles for the winter. all-inclusive trip styles, award-winning guides, exceptional food, and In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. . Popular trails may be crowded on many summer and fall weekends, but you can always find secluded areas if you search. The park surrounds Highway 20, which travels between Sedro Wooley on the west side of the mountains and Mazama and the Methow Valley on the east side. Check in advance to see if there are fire restrictions in the park. Some popular drive-in sites include Goodell Creek, Gorge Lake, Colonial Creek, and Newhalem Creek. If you want to experience the great outdoors during the day and sleep in a bed instead of a tent at night, there are plenty of nearby options. Forks, Sol Duc falls, Hurricane Ridge. From the highest points along the trail, you will have spectacular views of the national park. North Cascades is 108 miles away from Seattle. Over millions of years, these glaciers created some of the steepest mountain ranges in the USA, some mountains rising 4,000 to 6,000 feet above their bases. Then the trail climbs steeply up to a ridgeline. Explore the North Cascades right from your office! With such prominent peaks and exceptional natural features, it's no surprise that the park has been nicknamed the "American Alps". Heading up Thursday for a few days. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-61002313', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Ross Lake Recreation Area. The summer months of June - September are the driest months and perfect for a Washington elopement. Where to stay: See here. The Hoh rainforest. see this spectacular park, you need to get off the highway. Number of sites: 19 sites. It was an awesome way to end the day and worth the extra drive time into the park (1 hour 15 minutes to Ross Lake). guided trips that allow you to get out there without the stress of planning the trip yourself! As a National Park, the main activities you can do here include hiking, canoeing, camping, backpacking, and swimming. It's a dreamy setting of vibrant blue lakes, stark white snow on rocky peaks, flowering meadows, lush greenery and wooded slopes. There are three sections to North Cascades National Park Complex: the Chelan Lake National Recreational Area (which includes Stehekin), Ross Lake National Recreational Area, and North Cascades National Park. Our 1. The view isnt quite as good as it is at the Diablo Lake Overlook, but I still think it is worth the very quick stop. Keep in mind, however, that winter arrives early at high elevations. During the operational season (mid-May to early September), a ll sites in campgrounds along State Route 20 and in Stehekin can be reserved in advance. Desolation Peak: 9.4 miles, hard. For families or travelers who dont want to spend multiple days in the backcountry, youll have plenty of options for easy hiking, picnicking, kayaking, and exploring this beautiful area. If you stay at a lodge instead of camping, the overall price can also be higher. Sedro-Woolley Still, the drive is gorgeous, and you'll see flashes of yellow and orange lighting up the landscape around you. A little farther down the road from Winthrop is Twisp. Once here, you can explore Stehekin Valley on foot, go camping, and discover the cultural history of the people who live here. : This 35-mile trip traverses through some of the most beautiful terrains in the middle of the park. It is essential to know in advance that cell service is unreliable in the park. In spite of all this National Park has to offer, it is not one of the most popular parks to visit. When navigating the lakes within the North Cascades, there is a ferry that can take you between Diablo and Ross lakes. , are more common in the National Forest to the east of the Park and are usually first-come first-served. This short driving tour would make for a scenic and very worthwhile trip to North Cascades National Park. North Cascades is one of the least visited parks in the national park system. The park consists of two sections, called units. In 1956, he spent part of the summer here working as a watchman in the fire tower and wrote the book Desolation Angels from this experience. MOUNT RAINIER: Check out our Mount Rainier National Park Travel Guidefor important travel planning tips, sample itineraries, advice on when to go, where to stay, and more. Some good options for entry-level scrambles and summits are: With beautiful mountainous lakes right off the highway, there are countless opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, motor boating, and other water activities in North Cascades National Park. Unlike many national parks, the North Cascades is not one that you can simply drive through to see the iconic features. However, if you plan to hike in one of the adjacent national forests (such as Rainy Lake or the Maple Pass Loop) you will need a Northwest Forest Pass. Most of it is not in the national park proper, but it is close enough and well worth the trip. , or pull out a map and see where you want to go! When visiting the North Cascades, visiting in good weather can go beyond enjoyment and play a role in your survival. for an accessible peak that would be perfect for a first summit. To get here, it is a mostly flat walk through a forest. OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK: Take your pick from 17 awesome hikes in Olympic National Park. Traveling to new places has changed our lives, and we hope to share our experience, insight, and passion with you in order to inspire you to change yours as well! A technical rock climb that needs experience and rock climbing gear, this is a fantastic first alpine climb with a few well-traveled, more accessible routes to the summit. However, you can still drive to Diablo Lake and hike some of the lower-elevation trails like Thunder Knob. This town is made up of a handful of hotels and restaurants. Look out for ferries, visitor centers, and the dam that produces electricity. The best part of the hike is crossing the log footbridge just before you reach the lake. Some essential tools include a shovel, heat packs, GPS, goggles, an avalanche probe, and a small stove with fuel. However, with cold temperatures, it may be good to avoid camping unless you are comfortable camping in cold weather. Thunder Knob: 3.6 miles, easy to moderate. For a more secluded and peaceful camping experience, head into the backcountry on foot or by boat to one of many backcountry or boat-in campsites available. Make sure you either find a guide, a friend with experience, or have the knowledge and gear yourself to do this climb. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Fall is also a spectacular time to visit, especially along the cascade crest and eastern side of the park, where you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of larches (also known as tamaracks) in full golden glory. Campground appropriate for tents and small RVs. Rarely, there may be some light signs of wear from storage or shipping (i.e. : This popular loop trail traverses ridges and provides excellent views of mountains, wildflowers, and yellow larches in the fall. Although it is not located in North Cascades National Park, you bump right up against the park border. ENCHANTMENTS: The Enchantments is an epic hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington State. Ross Lake Resort is remote lodging only accessible by ferry or by foot. Its nothing fancy but rooms are clean, quiet, and the WiFi worked well. Along the way, you can find hiking, climbing, fishing, riding, and more. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. It features a line of 12 individual cabins and three bunkhouses built on log floats situated on the west side . We will be taking this trip in September 2023, following your itinerary in reverse because it will fit better with a Labor Day concert weekend at the Gorge . 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