North Cascades, Washington
Looking for the best backpacking in North Cascades? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around North Cascades. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near North Cascades
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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 -
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 -
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
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
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
Winter Backpack to Lake Anne Ridge
14 mi / 2000 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 halt at Austin Pass, gaining approximately 1200 feet of elevation over approximately 2 miles (one way). From Austin Pass, turn left (south) to take the...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Hiking the Kulshan Ridge
This hike starts out at Artist Point, where already you can see jaw-dropping scenery of Mt. Shuksan, Baker, Coleman, and many other peaks of the North Cascades. No matter what time of year you visit, you are bound to get unbelievable views and photos.Artist Point is the furthest destination along...Read more -
Deming, Washington
Hike to Table Mountain via Artist Point
5.03 mi / 560 ft gainThe hike takes off from the Artist Point parking lot at an elevation of 5,220 feett.The trail slowly meanders up for a while until reaching the final steep switchbacks where you'll have a sheer cliff to your side—don't let it distract you, and keep focused on the trail in front of you!Once you've...Read more -
Concrete, Washington
Anderson and Watson Lake
5.68 mi / 1165 ft gainThe drive up to the starting point of the trail to Anderson and Watson Lake was easy, but at the end it gets a little tricky - the service road is sharp gravel and runs for about 10 miles to the trailhead. Some spots are steep and there are large potholes, but slow and steady wins the race. There...Read more -
Rockport, Washington
Sourdough Mountain Trail
5.09.34 mi / 5046 ft gainGoing 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 ...Read more -
Whatcom County, Washington
Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout
4.83.28 mi / 1335 ft gainWinchester Mountain is said to have the greatest reward for least amount of effort in all the North Cascades. One of the last fire-lookouts in the region stands on the summit. Views from the summit of Winchester Mountain are beautiful and dramatic to say the least. Being one of the easiest hikes...Read more -
Whatcom County, Washington
Winter Hike to Winchester Mountain
3.5 mi / 1320 ft gainDespite this trip report being titled "to Winchester Mountain", the fun doesn’t stop there. Even though Winchester Mountain is the most popular summer hike departing from Twin Lakes, this whole area turns into a fun-zone during the winter.Upon reaching higher ground above the lakes, this zone off...Read more -
Whatcom County, Washington
Yellow Aster Butte and Tomyhoi Peak
4.713.4 mi / 4902 ft gainThe best way to describe the location is due east of Bellingham. After driving through gorgeous roads to reach Twin Lakes Road (fire service road 3065), you are treated to about a 4-mile drive up to the trailhead for Yellow Aster Butte (8.3 miles RT with 2850' of gain) and Tomyhoi Peak. The drive...Read more -
Whatcom County, Washington
Yellow Aster Butte
9.08 mi / 3258 ft gainYellow Aster Butte has to be one of the most visually rewarding hikes in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for the effort required to get there. Abundant with lush, rolling mountain meadows, hikers can be treated to an abundance of wildflowers, heather fields, and berry patches with dreamy...Read more