North Cascades Trail Guide

Get Out! Explore the North Cascades

Your guide to the North Cascades, filled with outdoor activity ideas, fun facts, stewardship opportunities and resources to help plan your adventures. www.experiencewilderness.org Cutthroat Lake Holly Werran, courtesy of REI

Outside magazine rates the North Cascades as one of America’s great places where “the adventure options are limitless.”

Calling all people… who love to hike, camp, climb, raft or commune with nature

The North Cascades boast some of the best wildland recreation in the Pacific Northwest – if not the world. And the North Cascades are right in our backyard.

From hiking to camping to boating, the North Cascades offer something for everyone.

Long known as a mountaineer’s destination, the North Cascades’ rugged peaks can challenge the technical skills of even the most experienced rock climbers, bushwhackers and hard bodies.

The North Cascades also are a destination for families, where you can share the wonder of nature with all ages.

Venture on meandering trails to mountain lakes and huckleberry fields. Picnic next to a hundred streams, lulled by the sound of rushing water. Bask in the solitude of ancient forests.

The North Cascades are calling you to come explore.

Day Hikes to Delight the Senses

Fire and Ice, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Interpretive signs along this half-mile loop trail through meadows and mountain hemlock tell the story of the landscape, from volcanic eruptions to ice age glaciers. The first half of the trail is universally accessible and culminates with scenic views of Bagley Lakes.

The trail begins at the Heather Meadows Visitor Center on Mt. Baker Highway 542.

Boulder River, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Majestic, lush and inspiring, the Boulder River Trail is a splendid walk through rare, lowland old-growth forests. The four-mile hike (one-way) traces the valley of the Boulder River pass cascading waterfalls and through dense wildlands of cedar, hemlock, fir and bigleaf maple. Abundant ferns and exquisite mosses create a jungle-like atmosphere in places. The trail is between Arlington and Darrington, just west of the Mountain Loop Highway 530.

Blue Lake, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest This short, easy trail leads to an exquisite turquoise lake surrounded by cliffs and mountain pinnacles. Fall is the ideal time to hike Blue Lake when the larches are ablaze in gold and chartreuse. The hike is about four miles round trip with a 1,000-foot elevation gain. Blue Lake is just west of Washington Pass on North Cascades Highway 20.

Cutthroat Pass, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Breath-taking views, abundant wildlife, wildflowers and blueberry patches are a few of the delights on this hike. The trail begins at 4,500 feet and meanders for an easy mile and three quarters before reaching a junction. Here hikers can opt to take a quartermile trail to Cutthroat Lake or continue three-and-a-half miles, ascending across open meadows (where mountain goats sometimes graze) to the pass. At the top, enjoy views of Silver Star Mountain and the Methow Valley. The trail is east of Washington Pass on North Cascades Highway 20.

Stehekin River Trail, North Cascades National Park Wander 4 miles (one-way) along the forested Stehekin River Trail to Weaver Point at the head on the south shore of Lake Chelan. Look for beaver ponds or stop to fish at one of the small fishing holes along the way. Enjoy wildflowers in the spring and watch for Kokanee salmon in the fall. Ride the Lady of the Lake to the historic community town of Stehekin. The trail starts four and a half miles north of the landing.

Boating, Fishing and Water Fun The turquoise, glacial-fed lakes and free-flowing rivers of the North Cascades offer plenty of water fun. Experienced kayakers and rafters can run the Skagit and Methow Rivers. Ask for a list of local outfitters at any ranger station. Boat Kayak on Ross Lake and paddling rentals are Damon Parish, Courtesy of REI available at Ross Lake and Lake Chelan. From riverside campgrounds to remote mountain lakes, the North Cascades also provide ample fishing for anglers of all ages and experience levels. Before you go, contact the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife for regulation and license information.

Fire and Ice US Forest Service photo

by Gary Paull

Experience the cascading waterfalls of the Boulder River trail. photo by Chris Cummings

A family backpack to Cutthroat Pass Holly Warren, Courtesy of REI

areas in the U.S.

Big, wild and pristine, the North Cascades offer unparalleled beauty.

Wet and rainy on the west and desert-like on the east, the North Cascades’ habitat is incredibly diverse, supporting a wide range of wildlife from grizzlies and wolves to beavers and bald eagles.

Glimmering glaciers, cascading waterfalls and roaring streams supply an abundance of clean, clear water to neighboring communities. The region’s jagged peaks, snowy crags and ancient valleys create a limitless playground for generations to enjoy.

The North Cascades are calling you to discover its hidden treasure.

We all can be stewards of the North Cascades.

North Cascades National Park offers a number of volunteer opportunities, including trail maintenance; exotic plant removal; biology and hydrology data collection; backcountry patrols; and being a visitor contact in campgrounds, on trails or at visitor centers.

The North Cascades’ rich biodiversity makes it a great place for wildlife viewing and nature photography. Over 200 species of birds can be found in lowland forests and alpine meadows. For enthusiasts, Audubon Washington publishes a Cascade Loop bird trail map (see Resources). The North Cascades also are home to many animals— elk, deer, weasels and pika—to name a few. While you might not see the more elusive ones like lynx or wolves, you can look for their tracks or other signs of their presence. Between the wildlife and stunning landscape, the North Cascades are a haven for photographers.

Young climbers clearing a path to the Newhalem Crags, North Cascades National Park

Passport in Time (PIT) is a volunteer archaeology and historic preservation program with the U.S. Forest Service. Work with professional archeologists and historians to do survey work, restore rock art or historic structures, conduct archival research, gather oral history or analyze artifacts.

Kids Be a Junior Ranger! Pick up one of the four FREE activity Junior Ranger booklets at any of the six North Cascades National Park visitor information centers. Each has a totem animal—Pacific Treefrog for ages 3-5, Black Bear for ages 5-8, Raven for ages 8-11 and Mountain Goat for ages 12 and up—that helps guides kids and families through the activities and explore the unique natural and cultural history of the North Cascades. Complete the activities and earn your official junior ranger badge!

North Cascades Institute The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center on the north shore of Diablo Lake is a hub of discovery for all ages. Connect with your family—and nature too—at one of the center’s Family Getaways. The institute’s Mountain School and summer youth programs give kids a chance to explore the wonders of nature.

Learn more about hikes and how to get involved!

Visit www.experiencewilderness.org

Know Before You Go

Carry the 10 Essentials Always be prepared with these 10 essentials in case of minor injuries, sudden weather changes or delays.

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Service has a range of volunteer experiences from constructing and maintaining trails to serving as campground hosts, wilderness guides, research assistants, clerks, writers, and photographers.

Bald Eagle

Happy Creek Trail, North Cascades National Park Damon Parrish courtesy of REI

A well-planned outing can make the difference between a wonderful memory and a disaster you soon would like to forget. The climate in the North Cascade mountains can be unpredictable. Plan for rain in any season and snow during the spring and fall.

Sun can be damaging at higher elevations, so wear appropriate clothing and use a good sunblock lotion.

Get Involved

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest needs volunteers to be Eagle Watchers who teach the public about the Skagit River bald eagles, Mountain Stewards who share the ethics of “leave no trace” with hikers and campers and Monte Cristo Stewards who teach visitors about that historic area.

Wildlife Viewing and Nature Photography Enjoy Blue Lake with four legged companions

Calling all people… who care about one of the wildest

1. Map of area and compass 2. Flashlight/headlamp (plus an extra set of batteries) 3. Food (enough for one extra day) 4. Water (include treatment for water found along the trail) 5. Raingear and extra clothing 6. Pocket knife 7. Matches and starter (or a butane lighter) 8. First aid supplies 9. Mirror and whistle 10. Sunglasses, sunscreen and mosquito repellent Leave No Trace Follow these simple principles to blend your visit with the natural environment and take care of our public lands.

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Plan ahead and prepare Travel and camp on durable surfaces Dispose of waste properly Leave what you find Minimize campfire impacts Respect wildlife Be considerate of other visitors

Biking in the Methow Valley, Holly Warren Courtesy of REI

“The North Cascades’ public lands are owned by all Americans.

When you exercise that right of ownership, when you care for it like your house or your yard, it means more to you.” ~North Cascades National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins

Resources 103.7 FM The Mountain www.kmtt.com Access Fund www.accessfund.org American Rivers www.americanrivers.org/your-region/ northwest American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org Audubon Washington www.wa.audubon.org Backcountry Horsemen of Washington www.bchw.org -

Cascade Loop Scenic Highway www.cascadeloop.com Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance www.evergreenmtb.org Junior Ranger Program www.nps.gov/noca/forkids/index.htm KCTS 9 www.kcts9.org Methow Valley Sport Trails Association www.mvsta.com The Mountaineers www.mountaineers.org Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs North Cascades Institute www.ncascades.org North Cascades National Park www.nps.gov/noca North Central Washington Economic Development District www.ncwedd.com Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest www.fs.fed.us/r6/okawen Passport in Time www.passportintime.com REI www.rei.com Ross Lake Resort www.rosslakeresort.com

The Wilderness Society, along with REI, North Cascades National Park, Mt Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest, Okanogan – Wenatchee National Forest, Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, North Central Washington Economic Development District, North Cascades Institute, KCTS 9 and 103.7 The Mountain are working to educate people throughout Washington state about the tremendous natural beauty and recreational opportunities in the North Cascades.

www.experiencewilderness.org

Washington Climbers Coalition www.washingtonclimbers.org Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife www.wdfw.wa.gov Washington Trails Association www.wta.org The Wilderness Society www.experiencewilderness.org