North Cascades National Park, Washington
Looking for the best photography in North Cascades National Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around North Cascades National Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Photography Spots in and near North Cascades National Park
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Winthrop, Washington
Hike to Easy Pass
5.07.81 mi / 2844 ft gainIf you're looking for a beautiful fall hike with breathtaking views and acres of golden larches, this is it. This trail provides a good workout along with miles of photogenic scenery, including glacier views at the top, making the climb well worth the effort. Easy Pass is also (arguably) one of t...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Hike Skyline Divide
5.09 mi / 2500 ft gainIf driving 13 miles on a forest road, and hiking miles of switchbacks doesn't bother you, your in for one of the most exquisite views that you can get from hiking in Washington state.Just a mile outside of the town of Glacier, turn onto Forest Road 37 and follow it up switchbacks for the majority...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Summit Church Mountain
8.5 mi / 3750 ft gainStart by driving roughly 2.5 miles up Forest Road 3040, conveniently named E Church Mt Road, to the trailhead. The road is bumpy, but lacking the pot-holes that occupy many of the other forest roads. The only issue comes at 2 miles in where a stream runs over the road and has eroded a small ditch...Read more -
Okanogan County, Washington
Hike Tatie Peak and Grasshopper Pass
11 mi / 1800 ft gainDirection are from Mazama, WA. From Mazama drive west on the Lost River Road for approximately 19 miles to Hart's Pass. Note that the pavement ends around 7 miles from Mazama and the road becomes FS RD 54. The drive up to Hart's Pass is fairly exposed in one spot and has unnerved several of my ...Read more -
Manning Park, British Columbia
Hike to Mt. Frosty, EC Manning Provincial Park
14.2 mi / 5433.1 ft gainThe larch meadows on the approach to Mt. Frosty are known for 2 things: 1. Wild flowers during the summer and 2. Larches during the autumn.The trail climbs up the south end of Lightning Lake; it is well groomed and graded all the way up. The steepest section is the climb out of Lightning Lakes – ...Read more -
Rainy Pass, Washington
Black Peak's South Ridge
3.07 mi / 4700 ft gainStarting at Rainy Pass trailhead, you'll proceed to skirt high above Lake Ann on a marvelously maintained trail. Without realizing you're about to arrive at a pass, you'll come to Heather Pass, where you'll need to take a right. Continuing straight is also a popular hike, especially during peak l...Read more -
Winthrop, Washington
Snowshoe Heather Maple Loop Pass
7.2 mi / 2000 ft gainIf you have a whole day, then this trip is for you. Being three hours from Seattle has its perks. You get the views without the crowds. This hike is perfect for snowshoeing while the road remains open. Once closed it becomes extremely hard to get to, so make sure you get there while you can. Bein...Read more -
Chelan County, Washington
Backpack at Wing Lake (North Cascades)
5.012 mi / 2652 ft gainFrom Rainy Pass, take the trail to Ann Lake (pictured with island and wildflowers). About 1 mile into hike, you'll reach a fork. Take the right trail to Heather Pass. From Heather Pass, take boot trail through talus field to Lewis Lake (pictured with green water and drift wood in foreground). Onc...Read more -
Pacific Crest Trail, Washington
Summit Black Peak
5.010 mi / 4400 ft gainStarting at the Heather-Maple Pass Loop Trailhead, jump onto the trail that will take you counter-clockwise along the loop. After about 1.25 miles, you will come to a split in the trail, take the right path and continue for just under a mile until you reach Heather Pass. Off to the right there ar...Read more -
Winthrop, Washington
Heather-Maple Pass Loop
5.07.5 mi / 2185 ft gainNote to any hikers taking on this trail, this is a non-repeating trail meaning it goes in a big loop. The trailhead has 2 trail points of entrance. To the right (the pathway that is not paved) is the counter-clockwise route, a little less steep and more scenic at the start. To the left, the trail...Read more -
Winthrop, Washington
Hike to Cutthroat Pass
11 mi / 2300 ft gainLooking for a distinctive high-country hike just east of the pass? Cutthroat Pass is a hearty day hike perfect for gaining elevation and views with every step. It's even more dynamic as a point-to-point, exiting via the Pacific Crest Trail if you have two vehicles. Also great for a one-night back...Read more -
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Hike to Elk Mountain
4.74.3 mi / 2624.7 ft gainElk Mountain is one of the not so hidden-hidden gems in Chilliwack, BC. Clocking in at around 4 hours return it is an easy day hike offering beautiful views of the Fraser Valley and surrounding mountains. Reaching around 1500m in only 3.5 km, this trail is steep, but beautiful forest and mountain...Read more -
Winthrop, Washington
Hike to Blue Lake, WA
5.04.5 mi / 1100 ft gainBlue Lake is a fantastic alpine lake along a moderate trail in the sawtooth North Cascades, featuring views of some of the most impressive peaks in the range. A 4.5-mile out-and-back gaining about 1,100 feet, the trail to Blue Lake Trail features summer wildflowers, autumn Larch and jagged snow-c...Read more -
Winthrop, Washington
Climb South Early Winters Spire - South Arete
3 mi / 2600 ft gainFrom the Blue Lake Trailhead, hike approximately 1.5 miles to an obvious clearing with subsidiary trails that depart uphill and right at a stream crossing. These trails will eventually lead up granite slabs and converge into a main trail. Follow the cairns or aim generally for the southern-most s...Read more -
Manning Park, British Columbia
Backpack the Heather Trail, BC
24.9 mi / 1138.5 ft gainThis hike begins in the middle of Manning Park, with a drive up to the trail-head. This means you get all the benefits of alpine views and fields of wildflowers in the summer months, without hiking the elevation gain. Manning Park is on the Crowsnest Highway (BC-3). Across the highway from the ...Read more -
Winthrop, Washington
Ski Washington Pass
Because the North Cascades highway usually closes from November to May due to heavy snow and huge slides that bury the road, few people expend the energy to get there, meaning it's one of the only places where fresh tracks are almost guaranteed through the winter and early spring.To start, you'll...Read more