A Day in the North Cascades
visiting the north cascades is a solitary, yet spectacular experience. delivering phenomenal alpine landscapes at every turn, it is arguably the most underrated national park.
Located high in northern Washington state, North Cascades National Park straddles the border; its mountains and lakes bleed into the Canadian Rockies. Admittedly, this puts it a bit out of the way for most travelers. For many, this remoteness adds to its allure, though at the end of the day, it is still a rarely visited National Park. In fact, it is the fifth least visited of them all the National Parks, surpassed only by Isle Royale (Michigan) and three of Alaska’s most remote parks, Lake Clarke, Kobuk Valley and (unsurprisingly) Gates of the Arctic.
In 2019, North Cascades received a hair over 38,000 visitors. Compare this to Great Smoky Mountain’s 12 million annual visitors and North Cascades seems like real small potatoes. But don’t let the numbers deter you - this area is most beloved by mountaineers and hikers, with over 27,000 of its 2019 visitors opting for backcountry camping. For those not keen on summiting rugged peaks, there is an abundance of easily-accessible view points and ample activities for all abilities.
On a day trip from Seattle, we enjoyed a sunshine-filled hike to Blue Lake, followed by an ultra pleasant drive on the Cascade Loop Byway, a lovely stretch of road that begs to be stopped along to properly stare at the jaw-dropping scenery.
hiking to blue lake
Distance
4.6 miles
elev. gain
1050 ft.
difficulty
Easy/Moderate
area
North Cascades
when to go
Jul - Sep
With over 400 miles of trails, it can be hard to choose where to go, though for a high-reward, minimal effort hike, the aptly named Blue Lake is the ideal place to find oneself. The trailhead is just off the highway, making it an easily accessible option for those looking for a short adventure. The first half-mile starts off easy along a flat boardwalk. Cars can occasionally be heard zooming by, but the sound fades away as trail meanders farther into the wilderness.
What I love about this trail is that it consistently offers views throughout the hike, not just at the the top. For two casual miles, hikers stroll past soaring granite spires and mountain vistas, with colorful flowers leading the way. Sooner than expected, the lake comes into sight and is as lovely as can be.
At the lake, we sat upon rocks like lizards eager to soak up the warmth of the sun. The clear water was tempting but since its a glacier lake its not exactly known for its warmth. Even so, it was nice to dip in a limb or two to cool off on a hot day. I was keen to see mountain goats frolicking about and kept a watchful eye for them, but alas, I had no such luck this time around. I did, however, find some wool on a branch. Yes, I touched it. Yes, it was gloriously soft and silky. No, I don’t regret it.
As we parted ways with the lake, we returned the way we came to begin our short descent. Contrary to popular opinion, I prefer hiking up a mountain rather than going down. I find that the anticipation of heading towards something wonderful pushes me forward and I enjoy ticking away the miles and making trackable progress. On the way down, I’m more or less ready to get going and into clean clothes.
That said, Blue Lake may be one of the few hikes where I enjoyed trekking down more so than heading up! Now that we didn’t have our backs to the view, we were continuously treated to a show of unobstructed mountain landscapes. The whole way back (and technically the whole way there, I suppose), offered stunning views.
other hikes in the area
day hikes
huntoon point | easy
More nature stroll than hike, this trail, which is accessed via Artist Point, is most popular when the snow melts. During winter, snowshoeing is a great option.
1.2 miles | 200 ft. elevation gain
maple pass loop | moderate
Who doesn’t love a good loop? Especially one with fantastic mountain and lake views! You can add Lake Ann if you have extra gusto. Clockwise is a bit steeper, but not by much.
7.2 miles | 2000 ft. elevation gain
sourdough mountain | strenuous
For rewarding views, endure this long and steep trail. Incessant switchbacks in the woods soon give way to gentler terrain and open vistas. Camping is available.
10.2 miles | 5100 ft. elevation gain
overnight backpacking
Anderson & watson lakes | moderate
It is a gentle journey to the first two lakes, so if you have more gas in the tank, make sure to haul up to Upper Watson for better camping options (another 2 or so miles depending on where you stop).
6.0 miles | 1500 ft. elevation gain
copper ridge | strenuous
For expansive views, wildlife and a challenge, look no further! This area has a handful of side trails and camping options (Boundary Camp, Hannegan Pass, Copper Lake, etc.). You can take your time and stay at them all, or use one as a basecamp.
21.6 miles | 6555 ft. elevation gain
Top Sights
cascade loop | scenic byway
If you are coming to the North Cascades, chances are you’re already on the Cascade Loop, a 400+ byway through the very best of Washington. The section that encompasses the national park is, in a word, stunning.
To reach all of the view points and overlooks on this list, you will be riding along this gorgeous road, which is also referred to as the North Cascades Scenic Highway. Also, Highway 20. A road has many names.
diablo lake | view point
It would be nothing short of a sin if one came all the way to the North Cascades and skipped this stop. Perhaps most convenient is that you don’t even have to work hard to catch a glimpse of it as this iconic view requires only a few steps from the car. It honestly feels like cheating.
The lake is sprinkled with islands of bright green trees and is set against a background of rugged mountains with snowy tips. The main act, however, is its color. The astonishing turquoise resembles an over-saturated photo; it looks to bright to be real. It’s as if an artist threw the sky into a bucket, added a few drops of blue dye to the mix, swirled it with an evergreen tree to add a little green tinted pizazz to it, then dumped it into North Cascades National Park and dubbed it Diablo Lake.
washington pass overlook | view point
Just down the road from Blue Lake, where we hiked, is this astounding overlook. It is a well-maintained area that offers incredible up-close views of the surrounding mountains. Some peaks are riddled with snow while others have a volcanic look about them. I appreciate that the walkways feel more natural despite being man-made. Rocks lead the way along the winding trail, leading visitors past shady trees and toward smaller overlook platforms.
TIP: Picnic tables are available for those interested in eating lunch with a side of mountain view.
birdsview brewery | beer pit stop
Okay, so this isn’t exactly in the park, but if you are driving through, it is a great stop! Located right on the Cascade Loop (aka: North Cascades Highway, aka: Highway 20) just outside of the city of Concrete is this local spot. The backyard is a cute area that offers plenty of tables to enjoy a cold one on a hot day.
getting there
A car is essential to best explore the area and get around. From Seattle, it’s a 2.5 hour drive, though to reach many of the trailheads it will be even longer. That said, the drive is beautiful and half of the fun. Along the way, towering mountains and startlingly blue lakes whiz by and you’ll likely stop to “ooh” and “ahh” at the scenery more than once.
Some areas are only reachable by boat or plane, such as the beautiful and remote Stehekin region in the park’s southeast corner. This area is a jumping off point for exploration in both North Cascades and Lake Chelan.
when to visit
Part of the park’s lack of popularity is certainly in its short season to visit. While North Cascades includes two recreational areas that are open year round, the main region is inaccessible for half the year.
north cascades main area | jun - sep
The highway typically opens after a long winter around Memorial Day Weekend. While the park is open, it will still be snowy in most areas until mid-July. The best time to hike and camp is August and September. Temperatures range depending on the elevation, so always pack for all weather.
Average summer temps: 65° F - 75° F
lake chelan | Year-round
This large string bean shaped lake is the state’s beloved summer getaway spot but offers activities year-round. Being east of the Cascades, temperatures will be much higher and the climate far drier.
Average summer temps: 85° F - 95° F
stehekin | year-round
Located on the northern end of Lake Chelan, this area is far more remote though worth the trouble to get there. It also offers year round activities, though like most of the park, summer is the most popular time to visit.
Average summer temps: 80° F - 90° F
Fun facts
01. Outside of Alaska, North Cascades has the most glaciers in the U.S. (300+!)
02. Jack Kerouac stayed at Desolation Peak working as a fire spotter in 1956
03. In 2018, Scott Kranz, a popular photographer and outdoorsman, embarked on a journey he dubbed the 50 Peaks Project where he summited 50 of the park’s peaks in a single year.
04. The park includes 684,000 acres of pristine lakes, mountains, glaciers and waterfalls