Somebody had fun naming these mountains: Mount Terror, Phantom Peak, Poltergeist Pinnacle, Mount Fury, and Ghost Peak. Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. The summer is short in the North Cascades, which is one reason why it's one of the least-visited parks in the country. The park was established in 1968 to preserve majestic mountain scenery, snowfields, glaciers, alpine meadows, cascading waterfalls, and other unique natural features in the North Cascade Range. Some good trails for beginners include Cascade Pass Trail, Thunder Knob, and Fourth of July Pass. If you like to get off the beaten path, hit the trail, or scramble to a summit, the North Cascades will blow your mind. When possible, make reservations as early as you can. The weather is especially nice in the NE Cascades, so be sure to stay a couple days around Mazama and do nearby hikes. Interesting Facts About North Cascades National Park, Best Things to Do in North Cascades National Park. all-inclusive trip styles, award-winning guides, exceptional food, and Stay safe by knowing which animals to look out for, dressing appropriately, staying hydrated, and planning. Start Here North America Washington The Best Time to Visit North Cascades National Park in 2023, Written by: Author Andrew Helling |Reviewed by: Editorial Team. To get to Rainy Lake, it is a flat walk on a paved trail to a viewpoint of the lake. Increased winds and low humidity Wednesday created increased fire activity on the Chilliwack Complex. While summer is more popular, safer, and has more opportunities, it does carry some risks. If you want to try out backpacking but dont have the experience or gear, a guided backpacking trip is the perfect opportunity to get your feet wet and see if you like it. While persistent snow is not always common, it can happen sometimes. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) Top Rated On ; . Trail of the Cedars. Our website uses cookies. There are lots of mushrooms to be seen, and if the views afield are good, so much the better. If you want to visit Stehekin, you will need a minimum of two days, since travel times can be long between Chelan and Stehekin. This is a gorgeous hike and beyond the lake sits North Cascades National Park. We also havedetailed trail guides for Mt. Once the road is safe to clear from snow, Highway 20 typically opens in April or May. Within the park, camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds, and you can make a reservation on Recreation.gov. In mid-July, most trails are snow-free (except at the highest elevations on mountain peaks. This high elevation national park of northern Washington is perhaps the most rugged place to visit in the state. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. Some peaks involve little more than hiking to get to the summit but still involve off-trail travel and the ability to read a map, and the fitness to get up and down. pay for content, product research, guides, and more). The park peak operational season is late May-late September, with limited services outside the operational season. 18 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail travels through North Cascades National Park. 810 State Route 20 North Cascades Travel Tips Cascade National Park is Free! The best time to visit the North Cascades National Park is the summer through early autumn. Marblemount is the closest town on the west side of the park. If you want a beautiful adventure deep in nature, take a visit to North Cascades National Park. Learn about current conditions for roads, trails, lakes, and more. Then the trail to Trapper Peak branches off to the right before you descend to the campsites at the lakes below. So, Whats the Best Time to Visit North Cascades National Park? Driving Directions. North Cascades is one of the least visited parks in the national park system. It is mostly close to small towns, including Diablo. The area is popular with snowmobilers, skiers, and other winter backcountry travelers. Rachel Means. Visitors enjoy a large amount of biodiversity and beautiful waterways. . 13 miles (21 km) east of Marblemount, 74 miles (119 km) west of Winthrop. Forks, Sol Duc falls, Hurricane Ridge. Many national park visitors skip this park in favor of other more popular destinations. Grand Canyon National Park; There are also many options for lodging outside of 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. But to experience these sights, youll have to get out of the car. 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. 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 . Planning your North Cascades trip carefully can provide you with a fantastic adventure. Read on to learn when the best and worst times are to visit this gorgeous park. We hiked Hurricane Ridge and I think we saw flowers there too. 2022-10-27. 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. Wild, rugged, remoteNorth Cascades National Park is highly underrated park, especially for hikers and backpackers. But if you hit it on a weekday or early in the morning, it can still be possible to have a popular trail all to yourself. If you want to pack in as many activities and sights as possible on your day trip to North Cascades National Park from Seattle, it makes sense to embark on short hikes rather than full-day treks. This is our favorite overlook in North Cascades National Park. It's a dreamy setting of vibrant blue lakes, stark white snow on rocky peaks, flowering meadows, lush greenery and wooded slopes. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest. Rainy Lake: 2 miles, easy. Navigating the park in the winter can require special tools, even if you are only going out for a hike. Some parts of the park may even be closed for the winter due to avalanches and other concerning conditions. In the spring, the park often needs time to recover from the winter as snow melts. The gorgeous blue waters of Diablo Lake are enough to convince most people to visit, but there's more to do in North Cascades than stare at beautiful scenery. 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. But despite not receiving nearly the visitation of nearby Olympic or Rainier National Parks (in 2020, North Cascades received ~30,000 visitors compared to Olympics 2.5 million and Rainiers 1 million), North Cascades National Park is well worth the visit. The River Loop Trail is a small and very easy trail near the main visitor center. Cutthroat Lake Trail is a 3.8-mile out-and-back trail. If you decide to venture out in this weather, you must bring plenty of warm clothing and water-safe gear. Skyline Divide. For beautiful views over Diablo Lake, hike to the top of Thunder Knob. Your email address will not be published. The backcountry is where the North Cascades shine if you have more time. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Explore the North Cascades right from your office! 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. If you travel to the North Cascades to hike, keep the altitude in mind. And then we tried to go in September, and there were forest fires. Guide to Hiking North Cascades National Park. 12 Great Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Washington National Parks: Travel Guide & Itinerary, Complete Guide to the Maple Pass Loop | North Cascades National Park, Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Hike: North Cascades National Park. . There are also campgrounds in Newhalem and at Diablo Lake. Most of it is not in the national park proper, but it is close enough and well worth the trip. North Cascades National Park is one of the lesser-visited but most stunning in the national park [] Reply. North Cascades National Park is a highly underrated park but for those who venture here, it is a peaceful, beautiful experience. Backcountry hiking always requires a permit. 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 small towns of Mazama, Winthrop, and Twisp have lots to offer on their own, and the Methow Valley as a whole holds many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Still and all, a lovely time to visit with the Larch turning golden along with the sunlight. 2. North Cascades National Park is nicknamed the American Alps, getting its name from the jagged, rocky mountain peaks and emerald green slopes. The State Department of Transportation . Rainfall during September is moderate with an average of 52mm (2.0 inches). The least busy time to visit the North Cascades National Park is the winter since visiting in the winter is not always safe. Highway 20 (also known as North Cascades Highway) runs east west through the park, along the Skagit River, bisecting the park into two pieces. Definitely stop into Sherris Sweet Shop for some ice creamthe perfect treat after a day of hiking. Looking east along Highway 20 from the overlook. Goodell Creek Campground. Make sure to get a (usually free!) Upon your arrival at North Cascades National Park, it will take very little time to discover why so many people love the park. Make sure to check out the Mazama Store for local art, treats, and other goodies. 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. I suggest stopping by the visitor's center to get acquainted with fees and parking. There are also mudslides that close . As the snow melts, conditions may not be particularly hospitable. Another good day hike that could be a perfect short backpacking trip is. In the northern area of the park is the Picket Range, a collection of mountains, most rising over 8,000 feet. 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. Cutthroat Lake is another lovely lake. You can also find options for camping in the National Forest surrounding North Cascades National Park, from established campgrounds to dispersed camping. We went to Ruby, Second, and LaPush beaches. Day 4: Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm hike, drive north to Mt. 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. Those from lower altitude areas may get tired faster. This beautiful, remote lake is surrounded by rocky mountains. Check out our. What a gorgeous view, dont you think? This trail makes for a great overnight trip as well. We spent three days in the North Cascades as part of a three-week road trip through Washington state. If you are staying on the east side of the park, I highly recommend one of my favorite places in the world: Mazama and the Methow Valley. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Since nature is unpredictable, those open areas can change quickly. As an active national park, the area is beautifully maintained and ideal for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. The desert may seem like a barren and inhospitable place, but it is actually home to a unique and stunning beauty. This short driving tour would make for a scenic and very worthwhile trip to North Cascades National Park. Entrance Fee: There is no fee to enter North Cascades National Park. North Cascades National Park Highway: One of the World's Best. So, those seasons can get more expensive, leaving summer as the cheapest season. The average maximum daytime temperature in North Cascades National Park in September lies at 20.2C (68.36F). It is a 400-meter walk, round trip, on a paved trail to the overlook. There are several small towns to the east of the national park. These small towns have many lodging options, but a few small hotels and inns mixed in with Airbnbs and other vacation rentals make for a great lodging option if you dont want to camp. Few visit the North Cascades area in the winter, which begins creeping up in October in the upper elevations and mid-November in the lower elevations. There are only a few class three moves as you follow the south ridge to the summit, so most experienced hikers will be able to attempt this summit. There are no roads to Stehekin. The backcountry is where the North Cascades shine if you have more time. 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