Travellers Worldwide is reader-supported. Youll discover the hidden beauty of one of the most beautiful alpine regions of the country. Be prepared for snowfall and cold temperatures beginning in September. Tucked away in North Cascades National Park, the Ross Lake Resort was built in 1950. Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. If you travel to the North Cascades to hike, keep the altitude in mind. It is an awe-inspiring sight. This is a seasonal/temporary, full-time, non-exempt position from May 8 to September 30, 2023. Whether you end up booking a trip with a guide, hitting the trail by yourself, or just driving through to see the sights, make sure to add the North Cascades to your summer road trip schedule or make it a point to check it out next time youre in Washington. So be sure to pack lots of water, good walking shoes, and sun . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are several viewpoints located around the large parking lot as well as bathrooms. guests discover new landscapes, ecosystems, knowledge and ways to Backcountry permits are required year-round. For backpackers, this makes a great starting or ending point for a multi-day hike through the park. North Cascades National Park is gorgeous, and just driving through still has a lot to offer. Grizzly Bear Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. Once the road is safe to clear from snow, Highway 20 typically opens in April or May. Backcountry hiking always requires a permit. The park surrounds Highway 20, which travels between Sedro Wooley on the west side of the mountains and Mazama and the Methow Valley on the east side. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Closure depends on snow and avalanche conditions. The River Loop Trail is a small and very easy trail near the main visitor center. Day 4: Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm hike, drive north to Mt. All of these activities are safer and more fun during the summer months. Costs for visiting the North Cascades include clothing, survival supplies, campsites, activity supplies, and transportation. Too late for flowers, but the bugs will be gone, there will be few people, weather is still generally good, and there will be blueberries/huckleberries and a little fall color. Just a short walk from the Trail of the Cedars, also located in Newhalem, is Ladder Creek Falls. LEARN MORE: 12 Great Hikes in the North Cascades. The desert may seem like a barren and inhospitable place, but it is actually home to a unique and stunning beauty. However, with cold temperatures, it may be good to avoid camping unless you are comfortable camping in cold weather. How Much Time Do You Need in North Cascades National Park? She is passionate about intersectional social justice in the outdoors and creating outdoor access for all. Rainfall during September is moderate with an average of 52mm (2.0 inches). September 20, 1999 Fifty hair snags were set up over the course of the summer: 27 in the early season (May 24 - July 15) and 23 in the late season (July 15 - September 20). The park encompasses over a half-million acres, including the noteworthy Lake Chelan and Ross Lake National Recreation Areas. Our goal is for people to be inspired, and . MOUNT RAINIER: Check out our Mount Rainier National Park Travel Guidefor important travel planning tips, sample itineraries, advice on when to go, where to stay, and more. Located on Ross Lake, Desolation Peak offers sweeping views over the park. This town is made up of a handful of hotels and restaurants. For comparison, the hottest month in North Cascades National Park, August, has days with highs of 70F (21C) and lows of 48F (9C). Few visit the North Cascades area in the winter, which begins creeping up in October in the upper elevations and mid-November in the lower elevations. There is not a particularly cheap or expensive time to visit the North Cascades. Planning your North Cascades trip carefully can provide you with a fantastic adventure. 98284, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. North Cascades National Park, WA Average high temperature in September: 61F The warmest months (with the highest average high temperature) are July and August (70F). This is technically located outside of the North Cascades National Park Complex but it is still well worth the visit. These accommodations can be more expensive during the busy summer season. As a National Park, the main activities you can do here include hiking, canoeing, camping, backpacking, and swimming. Many national park visitors skip this park in favor of other more popular destinations. The best part of North Cascades National Park is the hidden beauty. It lasts until mid- to late April and necessitates the regular closure of Wash. State Rte. With one day in North Cascades National Park, drive North Cascades Highway, visit the overlooks, and do one or two hikes. Access to North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area is from the State Route 20 corridor. The Best Months to Visit the North Cascades are August and September. From Chelan, you can take a boat, plane, or hike to Stehekin, a very small town that is located at the northern end of Lake Chelan. To the west is the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest and the Mount Baker Wilderness. No more mosquitoes, wild berries are aplenty, and the fall foliage cannot be beat! Enjoy views of the surrounding mountains as you hike to a peaceful (blue) lake. All meals are prepared by your guide and we provide nearly all the gear. So, Whats the Best Time to Visit North Cascades National Park? Day 3: Maple Pass Loop hike, scenic drive and overlooks on Highway 20; sleep in Marblemount. Glaciers cap the mountains and snow blankets trails well into the summer. Traveling to new places has changed our lives, and we hope to share our experience, insight, and passion with you in order to inspire you to change yours as well! Happy travels! It includes eight distinct life zones thanks to its variety of elevation and fire ecology. Here are the 9 best things to do in North Cascades National Park. Waterproofed items are essential to survival in cold temperatures. However, if you only have a day, North Cascades National Park is perfect for road trippers visiting all of the national parks in Washington (, Camping is the perfect way to explore this beautiful national park. The park has 300 glaciers, jagged peaks, and forested valleys that showcase the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Check out our Ross Lake and Desolation Peak trip for an accessible peak that would be perfect for a first summit. The summer months of June - September are the driest months and perfect for a Washington elopement. The view isnt quite as good as it is at the Diablo Lake Overlook, but I still think it is worth the very quick stop. Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Most of the day hikes listed above can be made into short overnight trips or extended into longer backpacking trips. Are the miles on each of the hike above round trip or one way? However, if you only have a day, North Cascades National Park is perfect for road trippers visiting all of the national parks in Washington (Olympic and Mount Rainier are also well worth the visit). If you manage to visit during less busy times with good hiking conditions, you can enjoy a tranquil visit to the North Cascades, where you will not run into too many people. Explore amazing North Cascades National Park with Wildland Trekking on the Wonders of the North Cascades Backpacking Adventure! Entrance Fee: There is no fee to enter North Cascades National Park. We stayed at the North Cascades Inn. always dress in layers when you hike here, but the trails will be less crowded (as well as the roads). Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Road closures are likely during the winter months. . North Cascades National Park Travel time from Seattle: 2.5 hours National park since: 1968 Area: 504,781 acres Major peaks: Mount Baker and the Cascade Mountains Visit for: Ample wildlife, hiking trails, and alpine lakes For more: nps.gov/noca * Visit Seattle partner Olympic National Park Vs. North Cascades: Overviews. The water washes this silt (also called rock flour) into the lake, giving it this milky green-blue color. The vast expanses of sand dunes, the towering rock formations, and the clear night skies all contribute to the captivating allure of the desert. Rent either an entire house or cabin or a room at the lodge, where you can gaze out at the beautiful Lake Chelan and the mountains of the North Cascades. Rainy Lake: 2 miles, easy. Make sure to get a (usually free!) The temperatures from November to February hover between eight and 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-13 to -6 Celcius). . While the higher elevation keeps this very popular North Cascades trail from being a year-round fungal destination, it can be a mushroom paradise. Help steward the ecological heart of the Cascades. It's the 2nd least visited national park in the contiguous US, which means privacy and seclusion if you choose a North Cascades National Park elopement. However, the trails are where North Cascade National Park really shines. There are no roads to Stehekin. This gorgeous area in northern Washington state is 500,000 acres of rivers, mountains, lakes, and recreation areas. Drive north on I-5 from Seattle towards . This weather limits the activities available to you. Day 1: Arrive in the evening to Twisp. Distance:.6 miles round trip Difficulty: Easy Elevation Gain: Minimal Time Required: 20-30 minutes About this North Cascades National Park Hike. In spite of all this National Park has to offer, it is not one of the most popular parks to visit. Location: Located south of State Route 20 at milepost 119. The gorgeous blue waters of Diablo Lake are enough to convince most people to visit, but there's more to do in North Cascades than stare at beautiful scenery. Often labeled as the best day hike in North Cascades National Park, the Sahale Arm hike is gorgeous every step of the way. If you plan a spring trip to North Cascades National Park, be ready to explore trails at lower elevations and prepare for any sort of weather! For a view over Ross Lake, make the quick stop at the Ross Lake Overlook. 15. The position is mostly based out of the Newhalem North Cascades National Park Visitor Center . So, always check regularly for any changes before your trip. It is mostly close to small towns, including Diablo. As a result, you will need to plan in terms of gas, transportation, and food. The position is mostly based out of the Newhalem North Cascades National Park Visitor Center with a possible . The worst time to visit the North Cascades National Park is in the winter. The unassuming National Park sign sits on the side of a highway, but theres no entrance gate, no entrance fee, nothing except the views, and a map to tell you that you have entered a spectacular national park. Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm: 12 miles, hard. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. If you want to camp in the campground, you can use one of the options near the park. If you love beautiful views and want to feel in touch with nature, North Cascades National Park is one of the most beautiful places you can visit. North Cascades National Park. 2022-10-27. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Thunder Knob Trail - 3.6 mile roundtrip with a 425 foot elevation gain. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. Another good day hike that could be a perfect short backpacking trip is. 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