North Cascades National Park, Washington

Top Spots in and near North Cascades National Park

Marblemount, Washington
Terror Basin and West McMillan Spire

16.98 mi / 8868 ft gain

The 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...
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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...
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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 ...
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Rockport, Washington
Sourdough Mountain Trail

5.0

9.34 mi / 5046 ft gain

Going east from Newhalem on highway 20, turn off towards the small town of Diablo. There are signs from there on where to park. This hike is very difficult. It is very steep and gains elevation very quickly and right from the start. Once you get above tree line though you are greeted with great ...
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Rockport, Washington
Hike to Pyramid Lake

2.1 mi / 1500 ft gain

Day hike with moderate elevation gain, 2.1 miles one way. You will be going up, up, up until you get to the top where you will find the lake. Take your time going up - take breaks and stop to check out the forest around you. There were a few times where we found it difficult to follow the trail (...
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Marblemount, Washington
Thornton Lakes & Trappers Peak

3.7

10.57 mi / 3885 ft gain

To 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...
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Marblemount, Washington
Winter ascent of Trappers Peak

9.78 mi / 3448 ft gain

North 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...
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Rockport, Washington
Diablo Lake

5.0

Diablo Lake is a reservoir in the North Cascades created by Diablo Dam. The hue of the lake is created by ground up rocks from local glaciers, which end up drifting down streams into the lake. If you’ve decided to take in the viewpoints driving Hwy 20 through the park, be sure to check out Liber...
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Rockport, Washington
Canoe Diablo Lake

Pack up your canoe with supplies for the day and launch from Colonial Creek Campground Area to begin your journey. As you approach the bridge to cross the lake, pull off to the parking area, there is signage for the boat launch area where you can easily carry your equipment down to the water's ed...
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Rockport, Washington
Camping in the North Cascades at Diablo Lake

4.0

Diablo lake is the perfect place to camp if you're looking for solitude and natural beauty. It's northeast from Seattle in the North Cascades. Colonial Creek Campground has large camp sites right on the lake. It is first come first serve, however check out is at noon so arrive around 11:30 to sna...
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Marblemount, Washington
Hike Lazy Bear Falls

3.0

To 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...
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Rockport, Washington
Backpack to High Camp on Ruby Mountain

17 mi / 6300 ft gain

Ruby Mountain is one of the North Cascades more prominent peaks, sitting high above Diablo and Ross Lakes. This trip is one for more experienced hikers with a very aggressive incline from start to finish. If that does not scare you then definitely add this amazing hike to your list. While it can ...
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Rockport, Washington
Backpack to Fourth of July Pass from Thunder Creek

11.2 mi / 2400 ft gain

Starting at the Colonial Creek Campgrounds, the trail starts out fairly flat taking you along Thunder Creek for about two miles to the Fourth of July Pass trail head. Once you reach here, the trail begins to climb.Beginning with switch backs, the path straightens out for a while before coming to ...
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Rockport, Washington
Backpack Thunder Creek

10.48 mi / 1027 ft gain

This hike along Thunder Creek in North Cascades National Park is perfect for families and beginner backpackers. The trail is at a lower elevation in the park so it is a great early-season hike, but be sure to check with the ranger station for trail and weather conditions before you go. Starting ...
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Rockport, Washington
Hike to Ross Dam

5.0

2 mi

This is a short hike at just under 2 miles round-trip, with little elevation change. The trail begins at a parking area, alongside Washington Route 20. The hike takes you through the forest to an overlook of both Ross Dam and Ross Lake, before making the final descent down to the dam. The trail i...
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Rockport, Washington
Kayak Ross Lake to Cougar Island and Rainbow Point

5.0

Start from the Ross Lake Trailhead off Highway 20. Hike down with your vessel 1.5 miles to the hull road. From there you can launch your vessel. Ross Lake is very large with many destinations to paddle to. I went to Cougar Island and Rainbow Point then paddled up to multiple spectacular wate...
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