Experience the stunning, untamed beauty of Washington's North Cascade Mountains! Located just a few hours northeast of urban Seattle, this remote wilderness showcases the grandeur of the Pacific Northwest.
Pristine mountain lakes, wild rivers, and majestic snowcapped peaks stretch as far as the eye can see. One visit to the park, and you'll see why the North Cascades are called "The American Alps."
Explore North Cascades with Shaka Guide
On Shaka Guide's Tour of the North Cascades, we'll guide you along the scenic North Cascades Highway, pointing out the best views and trails on the way. You'll:
- explore the historic company town of Newhalem,
- hike to pristine mountain lakes,
- walk on top of a dam,
- learn about the impressive Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, and
- hear inspiring stories of the Native peoples and early settlers who made a home--and a difference--here in this rugged wilderness
With Shaka Guide leading the way, you’ll explore at your own pace. There’s no schedule to keep or crowd to follow. You’re in the driver’s seat—literally, so take your time!
Or, if you’re in a hurry, feel free to skip a stop. We promise we won’t take it personally. We’ve taken all the guesswork out so all you have to do is enjoy yourself.
This driving tour begins between Rockport and Marblemount heading east on Highway 20 towards Mazama and Winthrop.
You can also take the tour in reverse, beginning east of Mazama and heading west towards Marblemount.
The total driving time is just under two hours, but with so many sights to see and trails to explore, you'll want to give yourself a full day--or two--for the best experience.
With over 13 potential stops and over 40 points of narration, you can be sure to get the most out of your visit to the North Cascades.
OTHER NORTH CASCADES ARTICLES:
Know Before You Go, North Cascades National Park
Exploring the Scenic North Cascades Highway
Hiking In North Cascades National Park
North Cascades Itinerary
1. North Cascades Visitor Center
Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 30 mins
The North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem features nature exhibits, park information, a gift shop, two short films, and an easy boardwalk offering a magnificent view of the Picket Range in the distance.
2. Historic Newhalem
Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 30 mins-2 hours
Plan to spend a couple of hours in Newhalem. There's so much to see and do in this historic Seattle City Light company town.
From visiting the Skagit Information Center and Skagit General Store and taking photos of the historic Number 6 engine and Gorge Inn, to walking the lovely Trail of Cedars across the river.
Take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking views from the suspension bridge.
3. Gorge Powerhouse and Ladder Creek Falls
Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 15-30 mins
From Newhalem, you can walk or drive up to the Gorge Powerhouse and cross another suspension bridge to access the Ladder Creek Falls Trail.
The trail to the falls is lit every evening...a tradition that began in the early 1900s to showcase the wonders of electric power.
4. Gorge Overlook Trail
Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 15 mins
Enjoy two spectacular views in one stop. Gorge Lake Overlook features a stunning view of Gorge Dam and Gorge Lake framed by the rugged North Cascade Mountains.
A short, paved trail leads to the overlook. You can return the way you came or continue the loop on a graveled trail back to the parking area.
From the pedestrian walkway across the bridge, you can view Gorge Creek Falls--a 242-foot cascade that feeds into nearby Gorge Lake.
5. Thunder Knob and Thunder Creek Trails
Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 2+ hours
Colonial Creek Campground is the launching point for two popular trails--Thunder Knob and Thunder Creek.
The 3.6-mile moderate hike up to Thunder Knob features two viewpoints above Diablo Lake with glimpses of the surrounding peaks both going and coming.
The easy 4-mile hike along Thunder Creek meanders through old-growth forests to a suspension bridge.
6. Diablo Lake Overlook
Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 15 mins
This is definitely one of the must-see stops along Highway 20! This overlook features breathtaking views of Diablo Lake with its stunning turquoise water and the majestic North Cascades towering above.
7. Ross Dam Trail
Kathy Rodriguez
- Duration: 1 hours
The 1.5-mile roundtrip trail to Ross Dam offers hikers a unique opportunity to hike down to the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project's largest dam and view this amazing engineering structure up close.
From the top of the dam, you can see the southern end of Ross Lake stretching northward. The moderate trail has an elevation gain of 500 feet.
8. Happy Creek Trail
- Duration: 30 mins
The Happy Creek Forest Walk is an easy and accessible 0.3-mile loop through old-growth forest.
Most of the trail is on a wooden boardwalk that winds through impressively tall trees along Happy Creek.
9. Ross Lake Overlooks
Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 5 mins
These two Ross Lake overlooks along the highway offer partial views of the southern end of this lake which is visible through the trees.
Although Ross Lake is the largest of the three reservoirs along Highway 20, this is the only place you can view it from the road.
10. Rainy Pass (Rainy Lake and Maple Pass Trails)
Kathy Rodriguez
- Duration: 1 hour
Rainy Pass features a picnic area, restrooms, and two beautiful trails. The easy 2-mile round trip hike to Rainy Lake meanders through lush, mossy forests on a narrow, paved trail to a stunningly beautiful alpine lake surrounded by mountains.
For a more challenging hike with breathtaking panoramic views, consider the 6.5-mile Maple Pass Trail.
This loop trail gains over 2,000 feet in elevation. It's one of the best places to view the stunning golden larches in the fall.
11. Blue Lake Trail
Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 2-3 hours
The Blue Lake Trail is a moderately strenuous 4.5-mile climb with a 1000-foot elevation gain, but the payoff at the end is worth the burn.
Trek through a beautiful subalpine forest to a crystal clear mountain lake surrounded by towering granite peaks and teeming with cutthroat trout.
12. Washington Pass Overlook
Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 30 mins
Another must-see stop on the North Cascades Highway is Washington Pass Overlook.
Sitting at 5,500 feet, it's the road's highest point and the dividing line between eastern and western Washington.
A short interpretive trail offers multiple views of the majestic North Cascades peaks including:
- Liberty Bell Mountain
- Early Winters Spires
- Kangaroo Ridge
Although partially paved, the trail is narrow and includes rock stairs.
13. Cutthroat Lake Trail
Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 2 hours
Moderately easy, this 3-mile roundtrip hike through a lovely forest leads to a pretty mountain lake set in a basin with spectacular views of Cutthroat Peak and Cutthroat Ridge.
Get Ready for North Cascades with Shaka Guide
Shutterstock Image
So, are you ready to explore the American Alps? Whether you stick to the scenic highway or trek into the wilderness on one of the beautiful trails, you're sure to be impressed--and inspired--by the unforgettable grandeur of the North Cascade Mountains.
To enhance your adventure, don't forget to bring along Shaka Guide's audio tour guide for North Cascades, offering insightful commentary and hidden gems to make your journey even more memorable.
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Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's North Cascades National Park Tour!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our North Cascades National Park Know Before You Go article.
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