North Cascades, Washington
Top Spots in and near North Cascades
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Concrete, Washington
Mt. Shuksan via The Sulphide Glacier Route
13.62 mi / 6230 ft gainNOTE: This is a very challenging mountaineering adventure. Please do not attempt without the proper skill, knowledge, and equipment. The Sulphide Glacier is the easiest and most popular route to the summit of Mt. Shuksan, and is a great beginner’s glacier + rock climb. More experienced climbers...Read more -
Marblemount, Washington
Terror Basin and West McMillan Spire
16.98 mi / 8868 ft gainThe Picket Range is a remote and rugged subrange of Washington's North Cascades. It draws very few visitors per year, and the odds of seeing another human on your adventure are very low. West McMillan Spire is an 8,000' peak located in the Southern Pickets. It is a Class 3 climb involving bot...Read more -
Whatcom County, Washington
Climb Ruth Mountain and Icy Peak
5.017 mi / 6000 ft gainThis is a great introductory glacial climb in the North Cascades with moderate glacial slopes and 4th class scrambling. The reward is outstanding views of the Picket Range, Mt Shuksan and the dramatic Nooksack Cirque. Even though this climb is easy it can be demanding and requires individuals to ...Read more -
Marblemount, Washington
Thornton Lakes & Trappers Peak
3.710.57 mi / 3885 ft gainTo get to your campground or to Trappers Peak, hike roughly five miles along the trail to ridge, where the trail divides. If you head left you'll go down into lake basis where you can drop your gear. Come back to the divide and head right, which will lead you up to trappers peak. Something to ke...Read more -
Marblemount, Washington
Winter ascent of Trappers Peak
9.78 mi / 3448 ft gainNorth Cascade National Park is home to some of the most rugged and remote mountains in the lower 48 states. Because of this, the area is rarely seen up close and personal in the winter, but there are a few spots where you can see these wild mountains that will defy all imagination. In terms of lo...Read more -
Marblemount, Washington
Photograph Ladder Creek Falls
While not a hike in of itself, this walk to Ladder Creek Falls is still very enjoyable as you bound over a large suspension bridge, wander past smaller falls and overgrown garden steps, and get an up close and personal look at the oldest operating building in Skagit County, the powerhouse. Drive ...Read more -
Marblemount, Washington
Hike Lazy Bear Falls
3.0To get to Lazy Bear Falls, take Bacon Creek Road off the North Cascade Highway for 5 miles. At the 3-way fork, take the left road, which will lead you down and over a bridge crossing Bacon Creek. From here, the road will require 4x4 and high clearance.From here, continue up the road for about 0.5...Read more -
Rockport, Washington
Photograph Ketchum Falls
0.2 mi / 1388 ft gain...After spending my 3 days exploring and capturing the partial lunar eclipse at North Cascades National Park in Washington, I was eager to find another adventure that I haven't done yet or others didn't know much about. As I was driving East leaving Gorge Creek Falls, .9 miles on my left I spott...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Catch a Sunrise at Picture Lake
4.7Set your eyes on one of the most photographic mountain landscapes in North America. You can drive up early for the sunrise, but really any time of day will be a treat.In the spring, make sure to come when the lake isn't frozen over so you can get the full reflection of Mt. Shuksan on the water. T...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Winter Backpack to Artist Point
4 mi / 1000 ft gainYou do need a Northwest Forest Pass to park in the lot overnight. You can buy a day use E-pass online here (pick Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest from the drop down menu) and print it out and it's ready to use. Or you can buy the annual pass here.The adventure to Artist Point begins in the ...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Snowshoe to Huntoon Point
5.06 mi / 1200 ft gainThis strenuous but rewarding hike takes you first to Austin Pass, where there is a great view of Mount Shuksan. Look out for skiers and snowboarders heading the opposite direction as you start out.The second major push heads further up to Kulshan Ridge, leading first to Artist Point, then Huntoon...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Climb Mt. Shuksan via The Fisher Chimneys
Out of all of the ruggedly beautiful, non-volcanic mountains in the Pacific Northwest, Mt. Shuksan is the center piece. Rising to a height of 9,131 feet, Mt. Shuksan is one of the most photographed mountains in the world with its jagged ridges, hanging glaciers, steep rocky faces and ease of acce...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Lake Ann and Lower Curtiss Glacier
5.011.67 mi / 3241 ft gainThe trail begins just below Artist Point and is well marked from a paved parking lot. Make sure to have a Northwest Forest Pass for your vehicle. Start your hike by descending on switchbacks through sub-alpine forest. It's a nice start, but remember, that means an uphill hike out. After entering...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Chain Lakes Loop
4.08.35 mi / 2005 ft gainDriving Directions: Travel east on Mt. Baker Highway 542 to the road's end and the Mount Baker Ski area. Follow the signs to the upper parking lot and the Bagley Lakes/Chain Lakes trailhead. The trail can also be accessed from Austin Pass and Artist Point. Trail: From the Bagley Lakes trail...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Winter Backpack in the Mt. Baker Backcountry
6 mi / 1500 ft gainArrive at the upper ski resort parking lot (approx. 4300 feet elev.) and snowshoe, skin, or split board up. Make your way toward Artist Point and eventually Huntoon Point, gaining approximately 1500 feet of elevation over approximately 3 miles (one way). Past Huntoon Point, there are several grea...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Backcountry Skiing Near Mt. Baker
5.0Park at Heather Meadows parking lot at Mount Baker Ski Resort and follow the Blueberry cat-track, which is actually a paved road in the summer, leading south up for 2 miles passing Austin Pass and continuing southwest on to Artist Point, gaining 1200 ft in elevation. From there, dig out your snow...Read more
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in North Cascades
Marblemount, Washington
Lower Goodell Group Campground
Overview
Lower Goodell Group Campground is a convenient site on the banks of Goodell Creek in North Cascades National Park Service Comple...
Marblemount, Washington
Upper Goodell Group Campground
Overview
Upper Goodell Group Campground is a quiet, remote facility for tent camping on the banks of Goodell Creek in North Cascades Nati...
Marblemount, Washington
Newhalem Campground
Overview
Newhalem Campground is a comfortable facility close to the town of Newhalem, Washington and the Skagit River. It is surrounded b...
Mount Baker Highway
Excelsior Group Camp
Overview
Located near the rushing Nooksack River in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Excelsior Group Camp offers access to numerous ...
Concrete, Washington
Horseshoe Cove Campground
Overview
Horseshoe Cove Campground is nestled under a canopy of forest along the banks of Baker Lake.
Located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqu...
Concrete, Washington
Panorama Point Campground
Overview
Panorama Point campground is located on the western shore of Baker Lake in the stunning Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
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