Looking east along Highway 20 from the overlook. Along this hike, you will have stunning views of the North Cascades range, with views of Sahale, Forbidden, and Boston peaks. For more information or specific questions, email the park complex. A little farther down the road from Winthrop is Twisp. You walk through an old growth forest that faintly resembles the temperate rainforests of Olympic National Park. If you like, you can continue another 600 meters along a dirt trail through the woods, for more views of the river, before looping back to the parking lot. Planning your North Cascades trip carefully can provide you with a fantastic adventure. 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. It is just a short drive from Seattle, Washington but North Cascades only gets a handful of the visitors that flock to nearby Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks. In Winthrop, Rivers Edge Resort, Mt Gardner Inn, and Methow River Lodge all get great reviews. Hiking and Camping at Diablo Lake | Explore Washington State on September 22, . Keep in mind the trail called Easy Pass Trail is actually pretty tough. Cutthroat Lake is another lovely lake. . With two days in North Cascades National Park, Before you go, make sure you get updates about park conditions, road closures, and trail closures on the, More Information for Your Trip to Washington. So, those seasons can get more expensive, leaving summer as the cheapest season. North Cascades National Park is nicknamed the American Alps, getting its name from the jagged, rocky mountain peaks and emerald green slopes. This makes a great place to stay if you plan to hike Cascade Pass or Hidden Lake, since Cascade River Road starts in this town. North Cascades National Park consists of a northern and southern section, bisected by the Skagit River that flows through the reservoirs of Ross Lake National . 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. Day 4: Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm hike, drive north to Mt. Once in Stehekin, you can go on day hikes or start a backpacking adventure into the interior of the park. North Cascades National Park is an American national park in the state of Washington.At more than 500,000 acres , it is the largest of the three National Park Service units that comprise the North Cascades National Park Complex. When visiting the North Cascades, visiting in good weather can go beyond enjoyment and play a role in your survival. Even though Mount Baker is not tucked away with the national park complex, it still makes a great place to add onto your visit to the North Cascades, as it is a gorgeous place to go hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. From North Cascades National Park, we drove north to the Mount Baker area. The cascades have their permit requirements for camping that vary from surrounding campsites. The town of Mazama also makes a nice option. There are lots of mushrooms to be seen, and if the views afield are good, so much the better. Visitors enjoy a large amount of biodiversity and beautiful waterways. 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). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thornton Lake: 10.4 miles, strenuous. Hike the North Cascades to experience some of the finest mountain country in North America! For detailed information about these hikes, take a look at our Guide to Hiking North Cascades National Park. It is essential to know in advance that cell service is unreliable in the park. Arizona. There is an effort underway to restore the population of grizzly bears to the North Cascades. Help steward the ecological heart of the Cascades. Average low temperature in September: 39F 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. Entrance Fee: There is no fee to enter North Cascades National Park. 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. The backcountry is where the North Cascades shine if you have more time. We stayed at the North Cascades Inn. to experience the deep North Cascades wilderness. Learn how to stay safe while enjoying the park complex. Cost per night: $20/night for reservations. You will need a $5/daily or $30/annual Northwest Forest Pass for Rainy Lake Trail. Too late for flowers, but the bugs will be gone, there will be few people, weather is still generally good, and there will be blueberries/huckleberries and a little fall color. One of the best parts about this park is how underrated it is! small crease, corner ding, light wrinkle) but . The best part of North Cascades National Park is the hidden beauty. Before you go, make sure you get updates about park conditions, road closures, and trail closures on the National Park service website. North Cascades National Park, WA Average high temperature in September: 61F The warmest months (with the highest average high temperature) are July and August (70F). The reason behind this reduced interest is a result of the rougher weather during the shoulder seasons. The remainder of the complex is called North Cascades National Park. Reservations for backcountry permits begin in March 2023. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. 4025 East Huntington, Suite 150 Learn about the different camping options within the park complex. their lives enriched, by the wonders of our amazing planet. During this high season, you can catch some views at the North Cascades Highway, Diablo Lake Overlook, Washington Pass Overlook, and Cascade Pass. Learn more here. The glaciers grind against the rocks, forming a powdery silt. Snow begins appearing in the park in late October and can continue into April. | Safety Concerns, Where to Stay in Hawaii in 2023 | Best Islands & Hotels, 19 Best Snorkeling Spots in Hawaii in 2023, The 15 Best Places to Visit in Guatemala in 2023, The 16 Best Places to Visit in Sicily in 2023, The 15 Best Places to Visit in Florida for Couples in 2023, The 15 Best Places to Visit in Sweden in 2023, The 15 Best Places to Visit in Texas in 2023. The Hoh rainforest. The Best Time to Visit Denali National Park in 2023, The Best Time to Visit Gatlinburg in 2023. It travels east-west along the Skagit River. If you camp in the park, there may be fire restrictions to reduce forest fires. Be prepared for wintry conditions as early as September or October. But the North Cascades developed geologically separately from the volcanoes, so they look different from what most people think of when considering the PNW. Whitewater enthusiasts also could check out the Stehekin and Skagit rivers for kayaking or rafting during the warmer months. As a result, you can enjoy your time in the North Cascades without too many people around. This is our favorite overlook in North Cascades National Park. The park encompasses over a half-million acres, including the noteworthy Lake Chelan and Ross Lake National Recreation Areas. . NPS Unigrid Brochure Map Newest Version. Unlike many national parks, the North Cascades is not one that you can simply drive through to see the iconic features. The Beautiful Glacier-fed Freshwater of Lake Chelan on December 19, 2022 at 5:09 pm [] Chelan is about a 3-hour drive from Seattle, and the drive . However, the mountains are not accessible for most visitors since the risk of avalanches is often high. Drive north on I-5 from Seattle towards . Popular trails may be crowded on many summer and fall weekends, but you can always find secluded areas if you search. Read on for our guide to North Cascades National Park. Here is a link to the travel planner put out by the NPS, http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=269307. During the winter, Highway 20 closes through most of the Park from just west of Mazama to Ross Lake. From the highest points along the trail, you will have spectacular views of the national park. North Cascades National Park is a group of federally protected lands including wilderness areas as well as Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and the Ross Lake Recreation Area, collectively known and managed as the North Cascades National Park Complex. If you go climbing, scrambling, or mountaineering, make sure you have the knowledge and equipment to make it safe, or go with someone who does. The best weather for visiting the North Cascades generally occurs between mid-June and late-September. There are several viewpoints located around the large parking lot as well as bathrooms. Benefits included four paid Holidays. The temperatures from November to February hover between eight and 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-13 to -6 Celcius). Here are some common questions about visiting the North Cascades National Park: The ideal length of time will vary based on what activities you want to do and your comfort level with outdoor activities. 15. Discover communities of life adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. Yes there were lots of wild flowers. Thanks Daniel Y, that's good to know! 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. If we link to any product, you should assume that we'll receive a commission when you buy it, at no extra cost to you. Visitors enjoy a large amount of biodiversity and beautiful waterways. Ask a ranger or pick up a hiking guidebook to discover one of the less popular and hopefully less crowded hikes! Trail of the Cedars. On day 2, we hiked the Maple Pass Loop and then drove Highway 20 through the park, stopping at the overlooks mentioned above. Huckleberries and blueberries, heather and many more. Developed campgrounds, like Early Winters Campground, are more common in the National Forest to the east of the Park and are usually first-come first-served. North Cascades National Park Travel Guide. Fall brings excellent color to the North Cascades, though like most places in Washington State, the weather is going to be a little bit more variable starting in late September. The position is mostly based out of the Newhalem North Cascades National Park Visitor Center . Keep in mind, climbing and mountaineering requires technical skills and know-how. To get to Rainy Lake, it is a flat walk on a paved trail to a viewpoint of the lake. From hiking to kayaking to spending days in the backcountry, the real adventure begins when you get out of the car. North Cascades National Park. If you like to get vertical, the alpine rock climbing, mountaineering, and scrambling in the park are incredible ways to get a view and experience without anyone else around. For something more challenging that will offer spectacular views of the North Cascades Range, the Maple Pass Loop is amazing. Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm: 12 miles, hard. It's a dreamy setting of vibrant blue lakes, stark white snow on rocky peaks, flowering meadows, lush greenery and wooded slopes. There is only one paved road in the park. Description. Or, if youd prefer to DIY, find more backpacking trip ideas on the. Located on Ross Lake, Desolation Peak offers sweeping views over the park. Sign up to receive our exclusive Wildland Wire emails and stay up to date with Wildland Trekking's promotions, discounts, contests, outdoor tips and tricks, trip reports and more! The best part of the hike is crossing the log footbridge just before you reach the lake. Check out our. National Park Hiking Tours; Unforgettable Experiences. Re: Is mid September a good time to visit North Cascades 8 years ago Save Bear in mind that the lands accessible directly adjacent to highway 20 are not in the North Cascades National Park, rather are the Ross Lake Recreation Area. Grand Canyon National Park; 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. Navigating the park in the winter can require special tools, even if you are only going out for a hike. The weather is especially nice in the NE Cascades, so be sure to stay a couple days around Mazama and do nearby hikes. Since nature is unpredictable, those open areas can change quickly. Now, visitors follow in his footsteps, hiking to the top of Desolation Peak. We stayed at Twisp River Suites in a 2-bedroom apartment. Spanning over 500,000 acres, North Cascades National Park in Washington is an alpine wonderland featuring vibrant lakes, thickly forested valleys, over 300 glaciers, and the most rugged peaks of the Cascade Range. : This 35-mile trip traverses through some of the most beautiful terrains in the middle of the 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. Still, the drive is gorgeous, and you'll see flashes of yellow and orange lighting up the landscape around you. Glaciers cap the mountains and snow blankets trails well into the summer. This weather limits the activities available to you. One of my first backpacking trips was camping at, , a perfect one-night trip with a good friend. Though summer is spectacular here, I highly recommend autumn in the North Cascades. North Cascades National Park is fairly isolated from any sizable city. Many national park visitors skip this park in favor of other more popular destinations. 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! 1. A variety of trails crisscross throughout the park. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. However, with cold temperatures, it may be good to avoid camping unless you are comfortable camping in cold weather. 2022-10-27. Upon your arrival at North Cascades National Park, it will take very little time to discover why so many people love the park. Then the trail to Trapper Peak branches off to the right before you descend to the campsites at the lakes below. The Maple Pass Loop offers a little bit of everythingwildflowers, old growth forests, a visit to a lovely alpine lake, and (the best part) panoramic views of the North Cascades. Due to the popularity, this trail is often busy. Cold weather and moisture can make roads and trails muddy and less safe. The position is mostly based out of the Newhalem North Cascades National Park Visitor Center with a possible . LEARN MORE: 12 Great Hikes in the North Cascades. But if you plan to visit more National Parks within the next 12 months I suggest you go ahead and purchase the America the Beautiful Pass (which can be found at the entrance gates to most national parks). all-inclusive trip styles, award-winning guides, exceptional food, and Summer is an amazing time to visit North Cascades National Park, as once the snow melts out, you can find wildflowers blooming in high elevation meadows. Highway 20, the main road in North Cascades National Park, is typically closed from early November through early May, although these times can change depending on snowfall amounts. Destinations. North Cascades Institute is seeking a qualified, enthusiastic individual to join our retail team. NCNP features over 300 glaciers and even more snowfields, making it the most heavily glaciated area in the lower 48. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. This is how we keep the lights on (i.e. There are countless day hikes in North Cascades National Park. Even though technical rock climbing skills are not required, loose rock abounds on this summit, so wear a helmet! If you decide to venture out in this weather, you must bring plenty of warm clothing and water-safe gear. Things to Know Before Visiting North Cascades National Park Entrance Fees. Wildland Trekking offers spectacular guided trips that allow you to get out there without the stress of planning the trip yourself! To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Explore the North Cascades right from your office! (Photo by Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty . The hike to Sahale Arm and the Glacier Camp is truly spectacular, and in our opinion, the best way to experience this national park, other than going on a backpacking trip. 5. Some of the best options are often busy, with Seattle locals driving up on the weekends throughout the summer and fall. To. You will rarely run into a grizzly, but it is essential to be prepared. Once at the Sahale Glacier Camp, you get to enjoy spectacular views over Doubtful Lake and layers of jagged, snow-capped peaks. Enjoy views of the surrounding mountains as you hike to a peaceful (blue) lake. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. You will cross a narrow suspension bridge next to the Gorge Powerhouse and then follow the loop trail up to viewpoints of the waterfall. Desolation Peak - 9.4 miles 4400 foot gain (where Jack Kerouac stayed for 63 days at the fire lookout) Cutthroat Lake Trail - 3 mile roundtrip with a 410 foot elevation gain. You will hike through evergreen forests, through fields of heather and wildflowers, past marmots, mountain goats, and maybe even bear. While visiting the park, keep an eye out for elk, moose, marmots, pika, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, black bear, coyote, lynx, bobcats and otters. However, you can still drive to Diablo Lake and hike some of the lower-elevation trails like Thunder Knob. In . All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. The Stehekin Valley has long served as a passageway for travelers, linking Washington's interior wilderness to the rugged Cascade Mountains. 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. This is one of the best places to get views of the jagged, rocky, snow-covered mountain range, unless you plan to hike high into the mountains. The unassuming National Park sign sits on the side of a highway, but theres no entrance gate, no entrance fee, nothing except the views, and a map to tell you that you have entered a spectacular national park. Go for a Scenic Drive on North Cascades Highway, 9. In order to do this, you will need to obtain a backcountry permit if you plan to camp overnight along the trail. Benefits included four paid Holidays. The journey to the North Cascades may take you slightly longer than this depending on traffic . Ladder Creek Falls: 0.4 miles, easy. Travellers Worldwide is reader-supported. Check in advance to see if there are fire restrictions in the park. From Chelan, you can take a boat, plane, or hike to Stehekin, a very small town that is located at the northern end of Lake Chelan. This hike takes you through alpine meadows and across barren, rocky terrain to a secluded, deep blue lake. with a guide, hitting the trail by yourself, or just driving through to see the sights, make sure to add the North Cascades to your summer road trip schedule or make it a point to check it out next time youre in Washington. Plus, this park is underrated, making it an ideal choice if you want solitude. Six drive-in campgrounds are available throughout the park, with fees ranging from free to $16, depending on the campground. You only have two options for places to stay in North Cascades National Park other than at a campsite. On the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, you may need to deal with more weather concerns and, as a result, more specialty gear. Baker region. Some popular drive-in sites include Goodell Creek, Gorge Lake, Colonial Creek, and Newhalem Creek. Desolation Peak: 9.4 miles, hard. North Cascades National Park (NCNP) sits in northern Washington State, amidst the Northern Cascade mountains. Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Somebody had fun naming these mountains: Mount Terror, Phantom Peak, Poltergeist Pinnacle, Mount Fury, and Ghost Peak. Snow is off all but the highest trails by July. Check out the day hikes options below if you only have a day. 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. 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. The key to any trip is knowing the best time to schedule your visit. 810 State Route 20 But to experience these sights, youll have to get out of the car. North Cascades is the largest of the three National Park Service units which comprise the North Cascades . This is a great to add on to your North Cascades to-do list. These accommodations can be more expensive during the busy summer season. Where to stay: See here. North Cascades National Park, large wilderness area in northwestern Washington, U.S. Of course, more time is always better. Look out for gray wolves, wolverines, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, and salmon. Areas around Washington Pass or Heather/Maple pass often become crowded with hikers and photographers when Larch Madness descends in September or October. The park peak operational season is late May-late September, with limited services outside the operational season. Required fields are marked *. North Cascades National Park. Since the loop is so big, it encompasses many different environments. We started on the east side of the park, hiking the trails in Okanogan National Forest, just east of the national park border. This is a family-friendly trail that starts at Diablo Lake. The best time to visit the North Cascades National Park is the summer through early autumn. This is technically located outside of the North Cascades National Park Complex but it is still well worth the visit. Rainfall during September is moderate with an average of 52mm (2.0 inches). Trapper Peak is a perfect entry-level summit as you follow the Thorton Lakes trail most of the way. . 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. Increased winds and low humidity Wednesday created increased fire activity on the Chilliwack Complex. Most of the day hikes listed above can be made into short overnight trips or extended into longer backpacking trips. You dont truly get to see the beauty and the grandeur of North Cascades National Park unless you go hiking. 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