Photo: Jeffhollett, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Hundreds of glaciers, jagged peaks and lakes the color of turquoise make the North Cascades one of the wildest corners of the lower 48. Only one highway crosses it, and most of the park is roadless wilderness. You can see the famous turquoise lakes from the road in a day, but the real reward is climbing to a high pass like Cascade Pass. Plan two or three days in summer, and start hikes early, before afternoon clouds hide the peaks.
TRAILS
1 OF 7
Cascade Pass
Difficulty
Hard
Length
7.4 mi
Elevation gain
1,700 ft
Cascade River Road · Cascade Pass trailhead — Even the trailhead is stunning: you park under Johannesburg Mountain's hanging glaciers and listen to ice crack and fall. More than 30 switchbacks climb through forest and meadow to a pass where people have crossed the Cascades for thousands of years. From the top you look down into the Stehekin Valley and up at a wall of peaks. Marmots and pikas are everywhere in the rocks.
⚠︎ The road usually opens to the trailhead by late June or early July. Steep snow can linger on the trail into July and may need an ice axe.
Photo: Jeffhollett, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2 OF 7
Sahale Arm
Difficulty
Strenuous
Length
11.8 mi
Elevation gain
3,900 ft
Cascade River Road · Cascade Pass trailhead — Keep going from Cascade Pass and climb a steep, open ridge toward the Sahale Glacier. Doubtful Lake shines far below, and the peaks around you only get bigger with every step. It's one of the finest alpine day hikes in the country. Turn around wherever the trail turns to snow and rock unless you have the gear and skills for it.
⚠︎ Camping at Sahale Glacier needs a wilderness permit, and spots are very limited. Snow can linger late in the season.
Photo: Jeffhollett, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
3 OF 7
Thunder Knob
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
3.7 mi
Elevation gain
680 ft
Diablo Lake · Colonial Creek Campground — A forest trail climbs gently to a rocky knob with a view straight over Diablo Lake's milky turquoise water to Colonial and Pyramid peaks. The color comes from fine rock flour ground up by glaciers. It's the best payoff for the effort along the highway. Late afternoon light makes the lake glow.
Photo: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
4 OF 7
Diablo Lake Trail
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
7.6 mi
Elevation gain
1,300 ft
Diablo · Diablo Lake trailhead — Follow the north shore of Diablo Lake through forest and over rocky bluffs, with turquoise water and snowy peaks peeking through the trees. The trail ends near Ross Dam, a massive concrete wall in a narrow gorge. It's a quieter way to see the lake than the busy overlook. Bring a lunch for one of the rocky viewpoints along the way.
Photo: Bob Collowan, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
5 OF 7
Hidden Lake Lookout
Difficulty
Hard
Length
9 mi
Elevation gain
2,900 ft
Cascade River Road · Hidden Lake trailhead — A steep climb through forest, then open meadows and boulder fields, to a historic lookout perched on a rocky summit above a lake that stays half-frozen into summer. The views take in a huge sweep of glaciated peaks. The lookout sits right on the park boundary. The last stretch crosses steep rock and often snow, so be ready to stop short.
⚠︎ Reached by a gravel Forest Service road. Snow often covers the final traverse into August.
Photo: Lmm3181, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
6 OF 7
Thunder Creek
Difficulty
Easy
Length
4 mi
Elevation gain
100 ft
Diablo Lake · Colonial Creek Campground — A nearly flat walk along an arm of Diablo Lake and then Thunder Creek, through big old-growth cedars and firs, to a wooden bridge over the rushing glacial water. It's a good rainy-day or family option. The trail continues for miles if you want more. Mosquitoes can be thick in early summer, so pack repellent.
Photo: J Brew, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
7 OF 7
Trail of the Cedars
Difficulty
Easy
Length
0.5 mi loop
Elevation gain
20 ft
Newhalem · Trail of the Cedars trailhead — Cross a suspension bridge over the Skagit River and wander a short loop through old-growth western red cedars, some of them centuries old. Signs along the way explain the forest and the river. It's an easy stretch-your-legs stop. Ladder Creek Falls, a short walk away behind the Gorge Powerhouse, is a nice add-on.
Photo: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Plan your North Cascades trip
The Nova Bound app builds the whole trip around these trails: where to stay, where to charge, and what to see each day. Coming soon to the App Store.
Distances are round trip unless noted, from NPS.gov and rounded. Trails, permits and road openings change; always check nps.gov before you go. Trail write-ups by Nova Bound.